Page 64 of Convenient Rivals

“So why are you quitting? Has someone upset you?”

“No, nothing like that. Everyone here is lovely. It’s a personal matter. I don’t want to work in the city anymore.”

What the fuck!Oscar knew there was more to this, but he knew pushing Josh right now wouldn’t get him any answers.

“Okay, Josh ... well, I begrudgingly accept this, but I’m holding you to your three months. You’re irreplaceable, so I’m going to need time to find the right person.”

“Of course, sir... I mean, Oscar,” he said, brightening up. “You’ll have me at one hundred percent until I leave.”

The shift in mood once Oscar had accepted his resignation was alarming, but he sensed now wasn’t the time to get into it. He had three months to persuade Josh to stay, or to at least find out what was going on. If he could fix it, he would, but if Josh really wanted to leave, any other CEO would be lucky to have him, and Oscar would help him find something. He would not see Josh out of work.

The rest of the day whizzed past in a blur of meetings, meetings, and more meetings. He hadn’t heard from Gregory and was wondering if he would seem too needy if he reached out to him. Fuck it!

Oscar:What you doing tonight?

Gregory:You!

Oscar laughed. He wondered if he should push a bit more, or just let Gregory come over and plough him again. His hole twitched at the thought.

Oscar:Can I buy you dinner first?

Gregory:Sure.

Sure? What did that mean? It was very non-committal. Was he just being polite, given that was in his blood, or was he happy to go out for dinner and this was just Gregory being awkward over text?

Gregory:You don’t need to impress me.

Oscar chuckled. He’d been thinking about which Michelin starred restaurants he could get a booking for at such short notice.

Oscar:Did you want to suggest somewhere?

Gregory:I know the perfect place. Pick me up at the flat at 7.

The perfect place? Where could he mean?

Gregory:Bring a change of clothes for tomorrow.

Oscar’s dick hardened at the same time as his heart rate sped up. Not only was Gregory taking him to a place he thought was perfect, he was planning for them to spend the night together, and in his space. There was a part of Oscar that wondered if last night had only happened because they were tired, and because Gregory had been through the ringer with his parents. He chuckled, trying to picture their faces when he said he’d come down Oscar’s throat. He had no idea if it would get back to his mother, but he couldn’t imagine Lavinia Balfour repeating something like that. His mother had been overly personal in trying to get him dates, so if she found out, he didn’t really care. Oscar still needed to talk to her, but with the regulatory investigation, whatever was happening with Gregory, and now Josh quitting, he needed no more drama. He didn’t care about the money, and he had no intention of getting married in the next few weeks before his thirtieth birthday unless his mother made him think differently. Oscar and Gregory had registered their intent to marry, and booked the registry office for two days before his birthday. Plan B was ready if they needed it.

Oscar was surprised when Gregory stopped them outside a cafe on Old Compton Street – KC’s Café. He’d seen it before, and heard good things about it, but he’d never been inside. It’s not what he would have chosen for a dinner date, but Gregory had said it was the perfect place, so he was going with it.

“And what brings you here on a weeknight?” said a lovely looking woman, who appeared to be at that age when you couldn’t tell if she was in her late thirties or early fifties.

“Hi KC,” said Gregory, giving her a hug. Well, he got no choice, but he reciprocated.

“And who is this handsome hunk?” she said, looking up at Oscar.

She was a petite thing, but then, everyone looked small compared to him.

“This is Oscar.”

Oscar took her hand and gave it a kiss, and she pretended to swoon and fan herself. They were getting attention from other diners, but Oscar didn’t care. It was clear this woman, and this place, meant something to Gregory, and he felt honoured that he’d want to share it with him.

“Your boyfriend’s hot, Gregory.”

“Erm...”

“Not had that conversation yet?” she said with a smile.

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