Thank you for calling Game Over. This is Ted. How can I help you?”

I pace in front of my decades-old sedan. This cannot be happening.

“Hey Ted, it’s Kieran. Is Craig around?”

“Sorry, man. He left early. Wanted to do something special for Zach for Valentine’s Day.”

“Shit.” I kick the car’s bumper. A metallic-sounding creak puts me on edge, like the car is deciding whether or not to retaliate, before realizing it’s old as shit and quieting the fuck back down.

“Can I help you with something?”

I huff into the phone. I am not going to ask my best friend’s boss for help. Absolutely not.

“I was going to see if he could run a quick errand for me. My boss is pissed, and my car won’t start, and I’m totally freaking out. But if you’re a man down in the store, I can’t ask you to do it.”

Air flutters across the line. He’s totally laughing at me. “Well, that’s the amazing thing about being your own boss, Kieran. I can do whatever I want. Now what did you need?”

I lean my ass against the car in defeat, but immediately scramble back up to standing when I realize what I’ve done. My car has seen better days, days that included a car wash, but it has been a long, long time. With my luck today, I’ll walk back in to work with a dirt-covered ass.

I can’t believe I’m asking Ted for this favor. Maybe I can bake him some cookies or something later to say thank you. I hang out at Game Over, Ted’s video game store, all the time. Originally it was because I love gaming, but lately it’s because Craig, the store manager, has become like a brother to me. So yes, I know Ted. But not well enough to ask him to run around town for me in the middle of a workday. On fucking Valentine’s Day, no less.

“There’s this specialized graph paper at the office supply store next to yours. We ran out on my watch, and he needs it for a meeting that starts in about ten minutes.”

“He” being my boss, Alexander Chavet, principal architect at CVM Architects in Fort Collins. He’s brilliant, renowned, and also the biggest asshole on the planet.

“I really wouldn’t ask–”

“Do I just ask for the specialized graph paper?” Ted interrupts my groveling, as pleasant as if I were asking him to pick up a box of donuts and lick the glaze off while playing video games in a massage chair. Or maybe it’s only me that has that fantasy.

“No, I’ve already called it in and paid for it. I just needed to pick it up.”

“Then I’ll be right over. Your office is across from the Lincoln Center, right?”

I’m not surprised he’s noticed. We’re on a busy street and the sign is metallic and blinding during certain times of the day.

“Yes. Thank you,” I say, running a hand through my crazy flaming hair. Some days, it really matches my mood to a T. “You’ll see me flailing like a crazy person in the parking lot.”

I can hear Ted laughing in the background before he disconnects the phone.

I still can’t believe I let this happen. I’m always so careful to check the stockroom every Friday afternoon so that I can make a supply run if necessary. I can’t believe I slipped up … oh, that’s right. Alexander was using the supply closet last Friday to “entertain” his latest conquest. I didn’t have the stomach to enter the room afterward. He only has the balls to do that when the other partners are out of the office. I’ve only been working here for a year and a half, but I still need more than my two hands to count the number of times I’ve inadvertently been subjected to a through-the-door live porn soundtrack.

My phone rings, the letters CVM displaying on-screen.

“This is Kieran.”

“Kieran.” Alexander’s snide voice comes through the speakers and my eyes immediately dart to his office window. Sure enough, he’s leaning against his desk, slick hair and polished appearance as if he’s posing for paparazzi and not peering through the blinds at me. “I didn’t realize I needed to explain to you that when you work in an office, you literally need to be in the office to work.”

“I’m waiting on a supply delivery. I’ll run it in to the conference room as soon as it arrives.”

“See that you do. Although maybe don’t run. I prefer my assistants to appear poised and professional before clients, not ragged, sweaty messes.”

I click end on the phone and turn my back to the window. When I got this assistant job after graduation last year, I had no idea what I was in for. I just knew that it paid well and was a great match with my skills. Plus – job. That glittery unicorn that evades so many graduates, I would have taken the job even if it were Satan himself offering it to me.

A truck pulls into the parking lot and a big bear of a man hops out. Craig has been showing me the ways of the gay, so I think bear would be the right way to describe Ted. He’s big, both in the tall and muscular way and in the cuddly way, and his neatly trimmed beard has a few streaks of grey that beg for a full-body follow-up inspection. I feel a little weird objectifying a straight guy that I hang out with on a regular basis like that, but Ted’s beard and chest hair peeking out from his collar rings all sorts of bells I never even knew I had.

Since he’s not gay though, would the term “bear” still apply? Actually, now that I think about it, none of us really know enough about Ted to know whether he’s gay or straight or anywhere in-between. He’s just a nice older guy who likes to play video games.

“Hey, man,” Ted says, strolling up the sidewalk in jeans and a Game Over t-shirt despite it being the middle of February and the scent of snow pervading the air. I bet it snows within the week. I wonder what Alexander sees, if he’s still looking out the window. I know Ted well enough not to be intimidated, but he is a big guy. Or maybe it’s just that I’m small. The thought of the contrast of the two of us together is certainly appealing. “You weren’t kidding. I could see you vibrating from the street. Are these what you need?”

He holds up a plastic bag with packages of paper inside.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” I say and throw my arms around him before realizing what I’ve done, and pull back, embarrassed.

“Not a problem. I remember what it was like to work for asshole bosses.”

My eyes widen and I glance around to see if anyone heard, but thankfully we’re the only ones outside. Still. The twinkle in Ted’s eyes laughs at me more than his mouth does.

“I’d better run this inside. Thank you again, Ted. You’re a lifesaver.”

I’m in such a rush heading inside that I don’t even notice Alexander waiting by the door, arms crossed and scowl firmly in place, until I narrowly miss plowing into him.

“I got your graph paper,” I say, holding up the bag.

“Who was that?” Alexander’s eyes are narrowed and I follow them back to the front door, where you can see Ted hooking his seat belt into place and backing out of his parking spot. His hands tap on the steering wheel, and his head bops in place. Who’d have thought the big guy could be so cute?

“A friend,” I say and try to slide past to put the paper packages away. Alexander’s hand on my upper arm stops me. I want to tell him to keep his fucking hands to himself, but then I remember all the reasons why I need to keep this job.

“I think I’m going to need some extra help this afternoon. You should plan on staying late.”

I’d argue that it’s Valentine’s Day, but who am I kidding? I don’t have plans, so instead I nod and hold in my sigh until I get to the conference room.

When I first started working here, I thought maybe Alexander was one of those people who comes across as mean but was really just socially awkward or incredibly blunt. It took about two weeks to accept that no, he’s just an ass. If I seem to be having a good day in any way, he goes out of his way to crush it. So of course, after Ted saves my ass and lifts my spirits, Alexander has to come in and ruin my mood.

I busy myself for the rest of the day, responding to emails, verifying meetings, making copies and filing, until close to the end of the work day for most people. When someone plops into the chair in front of mine, I stiffen until I notice the familiar work boots.

“Ted!”

“Sorry to startle you,” he grins, not looking sorry at all. “There wasn’t anyone at the front desk, so I wandered around until I found you. Did you ever get your car started?”

Uh, no. I totally forgot about that tiny little fact. I was much more concerned with getting the supplies needed than worrying about how the hell I’d get home.

The answer must be written across my face, because Ted stands and reaches out a hand, wiggling his fingers.

“Keys.”

I push back my chair to follow him after handing over my keys without a second thought, but he stops me.

“You looked pretty busy just now. I’ll see if I can jump it for you. Keep working.”

A million reactions race through my mind, but my mouth just hangs open as they all flitter away into the universe. Ted pockets my keys and is gone as quickly as he appeared. Work. Right. Like I’m going to be able to concentrate knowing that not only am I a lost cause among all my friends, but now their extremely hot bosses know it too.

Really, I’m grateful that everyone seems to have taken it upon themselves to help me out. Having come out later than the other guys, Craig jokes that I’m his baby gay. He means for it to be endearing, and all of the new friends I’ve made because of him are great. But I feel eternally ten steps behind everyone else.

Just when my concentration levels finally return to normal and I get back in the groove of the work I was doing before Ted’s incredibly welcome interruption, Alexander appears out of nowhere, hovering like a dementor behind my desk, anxious to suck away any happiness that threatens to appear. “I’ve sent you the files for the exterior elevations. Go ahead and start printing them. We’ll need six sets in all. I’ll be working on a few minor changes to the floor plans, and then I’ll have those ready for you to print as well. You can deliver the sets to the city building office first thing tomorrow morning.”

Yes, I’ve been through this process enough times in the past year and a half that he doesn’t need to tell me. I think he does it to put me in my place.

Alexander starts to pass my desk and head into his office when Ted reappears.

“Here you go,” Ted says as he passes the keys back to me. They’re warm from his hands. “I got it jumped and drove it around the block a few times, so you should be good to go.”

“Thanks, Ted. I really appreciate it. I would have been stuck up here if you hadn’t remembered.”

“Eh.” He waves me off like it was nothing. It wasn’t nothing. “I’ve seen you save Craig’s ass up at the store on countless occasions. I figured you were owed one.”

Alexander steps forward, likely because someone is being nice to me and he just can’t have that.

“Alexander Chavet,” he says with a hand extended. “I’m the principal architect here at CVM.”

Ted clasps his hand and even I can see the tension in their wrists as they try to out-shake each other. “Ted Olson, I’m the principal gamer at Game Over.”

The way Ted says it, matching Alexander’s snobbery in tone and tenor, has me biting my lip to keep from laughing.

“Game Over. Is that the …”

“Video game store,” Ted provides.

“Ah, yes. Well, Kieran here has a lot of work to do, and I don’t usually allow him to have his friends visit while he’s working. So, if you don’t mind.” Alexander has a way with his clients, a way that’s just as dismissive of them as he is with me, but in a way that they rarely realize it until later. His approach to Ted, however, is much like his approach to me. Why bother to hide your disdain for someone who clearly isn’t worth the effort to cover it up?

Ted’s eyes bore into mine as my heart speeds up. Finally, he says, “Not a problem. Take care, Kieran,” and I sit like a grade-schooler who’s been naughty and kept in by the teacher’s side at recess. I manage a small wave before Alexander turns, and I quickly redirect my focus to my computer. Alexander returns to his office without a sparing me a glance. He knows I’ve been put in my place.

If it weren’t for the torture of working late with my boss, I’d actually enjoy this. Printing things out on the blueprinter is the most fun part of my job. The blueprinter is this huge printer thingy that’s almost as long as I am tall, and instead of stacks of paper, it is fitted with these huge rolls. Once there, I select the right options and start the printing process, which can take a while since these things are so big, and so many are needed for the multiple sets that must be registered with the city.

“I sent you the floor plans to print.”

I jump at the sound of Alexander’s voice. I’ve been so in the zone, making sure I lay out the six sets and get all the elements properly aligned for each print, I didn’t hear him enter the copy room.

“O-oh-kay,” I say, turning to face him. He’s surprisingly close. His eyes are narrowed and I take an involuntary step backward. It isn’t until my back hits the wall that I realize it’s been more than a single step. I’ve been so focused on his eyes, which bore into mine with the singular focus of a predator.

“It would be so easy to claim you and make you mine.” Alexander practically growls the words, the vibration of his deep voice mimicked throughout my body in the form of a shudder.

Alexander’s lips accost mine in a crushing kiss. His one hand clamps around my neck, holding me in place, and the other clutches at my shirt. All I can think about is how to get him off me so my nice work shirt doesn’t get wrinkled.

“All this time,” he says against my lips, “I’ve watched you watch me. I’m going to give you what that ridiculous oaf can’t.”

I have no idea what he’s talking about. My brain is in too much of a confused fog until his hand pulls at my zipper and snakes into the back of my trousers.

I place both hands squarely on his shoulders and push. “No. I’ve never.”

Alexander’s eyes spark like my words just lit a flame inside him, instead of dousing it like they were intended to. “You’re a virgin? Don’t worry, baby, I’m going to make it so good for you.”

He leans in again, and I duck underneath his outstretched arms, spinning away from him so I can zip my pants back up.

“No. Thank you,” I belatedly add like a moron. Because, God, I’m going to lose my job, aren’t I?

“You really are an idiot, aren’t you? Do you know how many people would kill for the opportunity to be with me? Not to mention the advances to your career that I could provide you. And you’re going to turn me down?” Alexander zips up and sneers at me with disgust. “You can finish this without me. Lock up when you leave.”

With that, Alexander is gone.

My skin prickles from the sudden chill of no longer having the heat of Alexander’s body hovering over me, while my insides churn with fear. What just happened? Once my legs stop quaking, I make my way back to my computer and send the floor plans to the blueprinter. Just because my world has been totally turned upside down doesn’t mean I don’t still have a job to do.