Always an Expiration Date

Part Eight

Jake sat at his desk trying to concentrate on a contract his attorneys sent over before the office closed for the long weekend Thursday afternoon. His mind kept wandering to spending four solid days with Aidan at his small house on the shore. He knew he was playing a dangerous game. It was clear to him he'd fallen in love with the younger man but it was just as clear to him that Aidan was committed to his relationship with Mike so his hands were tied. It was odd to him, however, that Aidan was free. Why wasn't he spending the weekend with her and her family?

Mike knocked lightly at his open door shortly before the end of the day. Jake, relieved at the momentary reprieve grinned at her and waved her in. "Come in, excited for your trip? You're flying out right after work, aren't you?"

"Yes. I wanted to talk to you first. I'm not interrupting, am I?" Mike hovered in the doorway, a slight flush on her face.

Jake rose and circled his desk to lean on it, signaling the openness and welcome he exhibited with all his employees when they came to him. "Nothing I can't put aside. What can I do for you?"

Mike pushed the door closed behind her and crossed to stand in front of Jake. "I – don't know how to say this." She reached forward and trailed a finger along Jake's bicep as he stood frozen with shock that she was not only doing this, she was doing it in the office. "I've been in love with you for a long time." Before Jake could react Mike craned up and placed a soft kiss on his lips.

The kiss spurred him to action. Jake sidestepped out of her reach quickly. "What was that?"

Mike looked at him from under lowered lids. She hadn't caught on to his discomfort being anything but surprise at her bold move. "I've seen how you single me out from the other women. I think you want this just as much as I do." She took a step towards him.

Jake took several rapid steps away from Mike. "Ms. Santori. Your behavior is entirely inappropriate. I am your employer. Even if I weren't, I am close friends with your boyfriend."

Mike deflated a little at his words but tried again. "You don't have to worry about it affecting our work. Or Aidan."

Jake saw he was going to have to be cruel. "I am not the slightest bit attracted to you. I've only interacted with you outside work because you're my friend's girlfriend. Otherwise I view you as any other employee at the company."

All Mike heard was that Aidan was standing in between the two of them like he somehow always had. She began to rage but kept outwardly calm. "That can change if you give me a chance."

Jake snapped and barked "Ms. Santori. Get yourself under control!" He dug deep for his professionalism and softened his tone slightly. "I'll leave this choice up to you for now. If you are able to set aside this fantasy somehow I will, for Aidan's sake, pretend this afternoon never happened. Take the long weekend to think about it carefully. If you decide you are unable to, I expect a resignation first thing Tuesday morning." He strode to the door and held it open. "You must excuse me now. I think it's best you head out for the day."

Mike barely controlled her temper to walk first out of the office and then out of the building. She wanted to stomp and scream like a little girl but her career had just been threatened and she knew she had to maintain her dignity if she had any hope of continuing to work in the industry.

Jake dropped in his desk chair and ran a shaking hand over his closely cropped hair, contract entirely forgotten. What was he going to do? He had to tell Aidan. He wouldn't be a friend if he kept something like that to himself. But it was the last thing he wanted to do. He was terrified Aidan would cut off all contact with him once he dropped that bomb in the middle of his friend's relationship. After long consideration he decided he'd do it somehow over the weekend. His loyalty to Aidan counted for more than his fears over losing him. He glanced at the clock... he was due to pick Aidan up in ten minutes and it was easily a half hour drive to Aidan's home. He sent off a quick text, signed the authorization on the contract negotiations and hurried out of the office.