"Hey, Just."

Justin glanced up and beamed at him. "Hey, Blake. What's up?"

"Just finished with my last meeting. About ready to head out. What about you?"

Justin pointed at the laptop. "I have a little bit more of data to input before I can go back home. I'll probably be here for another fifteen, twenty minutes."

"Cool. Do you mind if I sit here and chat while you type?"

"Not at all," Justin said while gesturing at the chair across the table from him. "Have a seat."

"Thanks," Blake responded with as he sat on the chair. "So, how was your day?"

Justin groaned. "Long. We're conducting several interviews for new employees for some of the departments. What about you?"

"Busy."

Justin chuckled as he continued with his work. "I bet. I haven't seen hair nor hide of you for the whole day. What was going on?"

"I'm trying to streamline some of the processes in the finance department to make them more efficient. I had meetings with all of the managers in my department, Vince included, to inform them about the changes. I'll have another meeting with everyone, including all of the staff in my department, on Monday morning. I'm glad today is Friday. I need a break."

Justin smiled at Blake for a second or two before returning his attention to his laptop. "What are your plans for the weekend?"

"Laundry and groceries."

Justin laughed. "Same here. No hot dates?"

Blake shook his head. "Nope. I wish."

"Why not? You're hot, successful, and sweet. Any guy will be lucky to have you."

"Unfortunately for me, the guy I like already sets his eyes on someone other than me."

Justin visibly stiffened for a brief moment before he looked in Blake's direction. "You have someone that you like?"

Blake nodded. "Yeah. He doesn't know that I like him, though. I also recently discovered he was most probably going to confess his feelings toward some other man."

"Oh, man. That sucks. I'm so sorry, dude."

Blake bit back a sigh. "Yeah. Me, too."

"Do I know him?"

"I don't think you do," Blake replied. It was a lie. However, he couldn't tell Justin the identity of the man he liked. It would make things awkward between them, and he didn't want to lose Justin as a friend. "He's a wonderful man. He's sweet, he has a sexy body, and his face is ... fuck! He's so damn good-looking and enticing, I've noticed people ogling him like a piece of meat. I was jealous and furious when I noticed, and I wish he was mine."

"Oh, I see."

"Yeah."

For the next few moments, neither of them exchanged a single word. The only sound in the room came from Justin's fingers tapping on the keyboard rather forcefully. Justin seemed angry and sad at the same time, and Blake wondered about the reason for that. Then he was taken aback when Justin abruptly stopped typing and beamed at him.

"Why don't we go out for a beer or two? My treat."

Blake's first instinct was to reject Justin, but he didn't know when else he would get another opportunity to hang out with Justin one on one outside of the office. He wanted to inquire about Justin's boyfriend or lover. Or whatever the fuck that man was to Justin. However, he was terrified that Justin would start gushing about that man and how perfect he was. After all, only an amazing, lucky man would be able to land someone as incredible as Justin. He forced a smile onto his face and nodded at Justin.

"Dinner first. My treat."

Justin seemed surprised, but Blake thought there was also a hint of delight on the man's expression. He knew he shouldn't torture himself, but he was going to pretend that he and Justin were about to go out on their first date together. It fucking hurt inside, knowing it wasn't real. However, he was more than willing to take what he could get. Just one time. He was going to fantasize he and Justin were together as a couple.