As soon as they entered Axel's home office, the door clicked shut behind them, sealing off the quiet hum of the house.
Axel didn't bother sitting immediately. He leaned against his desk, arms folding across his chest as his sharp eyes slid toward his best friend.
"Man," he said casually, "are you sure you don't want to spend time with her?"
Dylan was speechless for only half a second.
But Axel had known him long enough to catch even the slightest crack in his armor.
Dylan smiled bitterly. He knew that tone. Whenever Axel called him "man", it meant only one thing.
Teasing season had officially begun.
He cleared his throat. "Boss, come on... I came for work, not to meet her," he replied, then walked to the leather sofa and sat down without waiting for permission.
Axel finally walked toward the seating area and took the single sofa opposite Dylan, one leg crossing over the other. His expression was calm, but the amusement dancing in his eyes betrayed him.
