Page 57 of Convenient Rivals

“You asked what my type was. Well, it’s sitting outside your office. Is he on our bus?”

“Please don’t fuck my assistant, Daniel.”

“Is he a bottom?”

“Strangely enough, that wasn’t one of the interview questions.”

“I bet he’s a screamer.”

“Oh my God. We can’t be having this conversation in my reception area.”

Daniel laughed. The lift opened, and he shook Oscar’s hand. There was a twinkle in his eye as he glanced back at where Josh was sitting.

“You’re going to do whatever you want, aren’t you?” asked Oscar.

“No comment, Your Honour,” replied Daniel, his laugh echoing as the lift door closed.

Oscar shook his head and walked back towards his office.

“Who was that?” asked Josh.

Even though he looked sick as a dog, he was practically wagging his tail as he glanced back towards the lifts. Oscar groaned and walked into his office, closing the door. This would not end well.

CHAPTER15

GREGORY

Gregory had a splitting headache, and he’d never been more pleased for it to be the weekend. He lived for work, and it was rare for him not to be doing something for the business on the weekend – unless one of his brothers stopped him – but this weekend, he just wanted to stay in bed.

He’d spoken to Oscar on the phone yesterday, and knew he was under pressure with the regulatory investigation. He’d wanted to suggest they do something over the weekend, but realised that would come across as too needy, so he just said he was there if Oscar needed to get out of his head again. And who said romance was dead? Gregory snorted at his own humour. Why could he never make quips like that when he had an audience?

After a long shower, he ventured downstairs to see it was empty. Looking at his phone, he realised it was only nine o’clock on a Saturday. Paracetamol and the shower had shifted his headache, but he didn’t know where everyone was. With Eric living here, and Paolo’s sister and boyfriend also staying, they had a full house, so he’d not heard it this quiet for ages. Normally he loved the quiet, but today it felt eerie.

“Morning, Gregory,” said Paolo, making him jump.

“Where is everyone?”

“Langdon and Eric are at work, Max and Lila have gone to Madame Tussauds– not for me – Jason is probably with Patrick. Why? My company not good enough for you?”

Gregory chuckled. He and Paolo were the quietest in their group, and could happily sit together in complete silence without it feeling awkward. Today, though, Gregory needed someone to talk to.

“Are you okay, Gregory?”

“No, I think... What I mean is... why is this so hard?”

“Is it about Oscar?”

“That obvious, am I?”

“Or maybe I’m just exceptionally intuitive.”

Gregory laughed. It eased some of the tension in his chest. “I think I’ve got feelings for him.”

“You think?” asked Paolo, looking at him as if to say, “I call bullshit.”

“Alright, I know I’ve got feelings for him. What do I do?”

“Have you told him how you feel?”

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