Tabloids!

Lanet typed out a quick text as he strolled down the bustling morning street.

Sorry, I have an early day at work. Breakfast will be brought up to the room for you.

He hesitated, then added another line with a smirk.

Took me a while to get out of bed this morning. Watching you sleep so soundly is something I could get used to. xoxo.

The thought of Beau still nestled under the covers sent a small wave of warmth through him. He tucked his phone away, letting the hum of the city guide him.

By the time he reached the City Center, Lanet felt unusually light, like the day had already decided to go his way. That thought lasted all of thirty seconds.

"Mr. Hines! Good morning," Kira called, her clipped heels echoing against the polished tile as she hurried to catch up.

Lanet slowed but didn't stop. "Good morning, Kira. Let's skip the pleasantries. What's going on?"

Kira fell into step beside him, thrusting a stack of papers into his hands—two magazines and a newspaper. The grim expression on her face set his nerves alight.

He glanced down, and his stomach dropped. Right there, plastered across the cover, was a picture of him and Beau, unmistakably cozy on a picnic blanket. Beau sat between his legs, leaning back into his chest with a love-struck smile.

Lanet closed his eyes briefly. Oh, for fuck's sake.

The bold headline didn't make it any better:

"Is Mr. Hines Finally Off the Market? Meet the Lucky Man!"

Lanet's jaw tightened, and he muttered through gritted teeth, "Beau is going to lose his mind."

Kira, ever the professional, bit back a grin. "So... that's his name?"

Her sly tone was met with a sharp look. Lanet's sigh was long and heavy as he pinched the bridge of his nose. This was not how he wanted to start his day.

"Too early in the morning for that, Kira. Don't get nosy." Lanet waved her off and picked up his pace, heading straight for his office with a single goal: avoiding the curious eyes of his employees. They were stealing glances at him.

He was almost in the clear when Kira's voice rang out across the lobby. "Sir, Mr. White is in your office."

Lanet's steps faltered. What's that devil doing here? He pushed open the office door to find Zane White lounging in one of the chairs like he owned the place.

"Get to the point, Zane," Lanet said without paying much attention to the man in the chair.

Zane spread his arms wide in mock offense. "Wow. No hello? No hug? Not even a kiss on the cheek? You wound me."

Lanet groaned, already regretting walking through the door. "Why are we even friends?"

"Because I'm your only worthy, honest opponent in the Healthcare Engineering industry," Zane shot back, his grin as insufferable as ever.

Lanet shook his head, dropping his bag onto the desk. They'd been best friends since high school, despite their wildly different personalities. Zane was loud and boisterous, while Lanet prided himself on control and quietness. Yet, they shared the same goal: revolutionizing the healthcare industry.

"Anyway," Lanet leaned back against the desk, "I know you're not here to congratulate me on my achievements. So, spit it out."

Zane scoffed, leaning back in his chair with a dramatic flourish. "You wound me, Lanny. You get stolen from, then disappear for a week, and when you come back, you've got this beautiful man in your arms. Naturally, I did some digging because—seriously—where the fuck did he come from? But no trace. Anyway, I was worried sick about you."

"It looks like I can't have Kira working for me anymore, she talks too much," Lanet said flatly.

"Well, I am kind of persistent, she had no choice but to tell me everything" Zane admitted, smirking like the cat that got the cream. "So, what's going on? Who's this guy?"

Lanet hesitated for a beat before letting the truth slip out, a small smile tugging at his lips. "He's the guy I met at the auction."

Zane's eyebrows shot up. "Well, damn. That love sparked wayyy too quickly. But that's so on-brand for you."

Lanet rolled his eyes, ignoring the jab, and settled into his chair. "You're insufferable."

"Where's he from?" Zane pressed, his tone deceptively casual. Lanet didn't need to look up to know his friend was watching him closely, probably trying to gauge whether Beau was trouble. Zane always had a habit of vetting the people in Lanet's life, as if Lanet couldn't handle it himself.

Lanet chewed the inside of his cheek, his fingers tapping a slow rhythm against the desk. "Out of the city," he said finally, keeping it vague.

"'Out of the city' like your district, or 'out of the city' as in out-out?" Zane asked, leaning forward now.

"Out-out," Lanet replied firmly, shooting his friend a look that warned him not to push further.

"What the fuck—what class is he?" Zane's eyes widened with disbelief, leaning forward as if Lanet had just dropped a bombshell.

"It doesn't matter," Lanet replied.

Zane's gaze sharpened. "Are you sure he isn't just trying to steal your heart... and then your money?"

"Zane! Watch yourself!" Lanet snapped. A flicker of unease stirred in his chest. The comment hit closer to home than he wanted to admit—especially given Beau's life.

Zane lifted his hands in mock surrender, though the smirk on his face was anything but apologetic. "Relax, Lanny. I was just asking. Besides, you know your mother is going to lose her mind when she finds out he's low class."

Lanet clenched his jaw and turned his focus to his laptop, the cool hum of the machine a welcome distraction. "I don't want to talk about this anymore."

Zane sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Look, I'm sorry, okay? I'm just looking out for you. So... when can I meet him?"

"Not yet," Lanet replied curtly, not bothering to look up.

"Alright, alright." Zane hesitated, then leaned forward again, his tone shifting to something lighter. "Then when can we grab a drink? I need to vent."

Lanet raised an eyebrow, glancing at him over the top of his screen. "Which one is it this time—work problems, relationship problems, or family drama?"

"Don't start with me, Lanny," Zane huffed, though the corner of his mouth twitched in an almost smile.

Lanet's lips curved into a faint smirk. "Fine. Come here. We'll drive to my house together. I'm not in the mood for public spaces right now."

"Alright, see you later," Zane said with a wave as he walked out the door.

The moment the door clicked shut, Lanet's phone buzzed, the loud ringtone cutting through the silence. He fished it out of his pocket and glanced at the screen. Parents.

Lanet hesitated, his thumb hovering over the screen. No way in hell. He pressed the side button instead, sending the call straight to voicemail.

He didn't need to answer to know why they were calling. His mother, no doubt, had already seen the headlines and was gearing up to lecture him on every conceivable reason why Beau wasn't "suitable."

The rest of the workday dragged, a blur of unending calls from journalists asking about Beau and the picture. On top of that, his parents kept calling—persistent, as always. By midday, the pressure became unbearable.

Lanet leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. I need out. He thought to himself. He couldn't endure this any longer.

He grabbed his phone and dialed Kira. She picked up on the first ring.

"Kira, reschedule all my meetings for today. I'm leaving early," he said briskly.

"Yes, sir."

"Oh, and call Zane. Tell him I'm picking him up now."

"Yes, sir," she repeated.

Hanging up, Lanet began packing his things. His mind wandered, unbidden, to Beau. A part of him longed to be with him—to hold him, to bury his face in Beau's neck, and let the world's chaos fade for a while.

But the rational part of him knew Beau was probably gone by now, off to wherever he went when the world wasn't looking.

I just hope he's doing better than I am, Lanet thought, slinging his bag over his shoulder. He deserves that much.