An Evening Without Business

CHAPTER SIX

Adrian was beginning to suspect that Alexander Sterling had a talent for making ordinary things feel like an event.

It was only dinner.

At least, that was what Adrian had told himself when he agreed to meet him that evening. Yet, after spending nearly twenty minutes changing shirts, he was starting to question how convincing that explanation really was.

He stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the collar of his dark green shirt. He had chosen black trousers and a simple watch, keeping his appearance casual without looking careless.

His phone vibrated on the dresser.

Alexander: I'm downstairs. Take your time.

Adrian smiled at the message.

Adrian: You say that now, but I know billionaires aren't famous for their patience.

Alexander: I'm making an exception.

Adrian: How generous of you.

Alexander: Don't make me come upstairs.

Adrian laughed, picked up his jacket, and headed out.

When he reached the entrance, Alexander was standing near the staircase with his phone in one hand. He looked up immediately.

For a brief moment, he simply stared.

Adrian noticed.

"You're doing it again."

Alexander slipped his phone into his pocket. "Doing what?"

"Looking at me like you've forgotten how conversations work."

"I haven't forgotten."

"Then say something."

Alexander's gaze moved over him, taking in the dark green shirt and the way Adrian had styled his curly hair.

"You look beautiful."

Adrian blinked, caught slightly off guard by the sincerity in his voice.

"That's a strong opening."

"I could have said handsome."

"You could have."

"But beautiful seemed more accurate."

Adrian shook his head, hiding his smile. "Come on. Before you become impossible."

Alexander held out his hand, but Adrian only glanced at it.

"Are you trying to hold my hand?"

"Would you object?"

Adrian considered him for a second before placing his hand in Alexander's.

"No. Not tonight."

Alexander's fingers closed gently around his.

It was a small gesture, but it made the walk to the car feel different from their previous outings.

---

Alexander had chosen a restaurant in the village, away from the crowded hotel dining rooms and the usual places where people recognized him.

It was a warm, intimate establishment with wooden walls, soft lighting, and large windows overlooking the snowy street. A Christmas tree stood near the fireplace, decorated with gold ribbons and tiny white lights.

Adrian looked around as they entered.

"I like this place."

"I thought you might."

"How did you find it?"

"My assistant recommended it."

Adrian turned to him. "So you did research?"

"I wanted to choose somewhere you'd enjoy."

"You're making it very difficult for me to accuse you of being a terrible host."

"I'll try harder next time."

They were shown to a table near the window. After ordering their drinks, Adrian studied the menu.

Alexander watched him for a moment.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"You're staring."

"I like looking at you."

Adrian lowered the menu. "Do you always say exactly what you're thinking?"

"Not usually."

"Then I must be special."

Alexander smiled. "You are."

Adrian returned his attention to the menu, but the smile remained on his face.

They ordered dinner, and for a while, their conversation stayed light. Adrian told him about a disastrous birthday event he had organized early in his career, when a cake had arrived in the wrong color and the DJ had played the wrong entrance song.

Alexander laughed more than Adrian expected.

"You still got paid?"

"Eventually. After threatening to send the client an invoice for emotional damage."

"You're joking."

"Mostly."

Alexander leaned back in his chair, still smiling.

"I wish I had been there."

"You would have been useless."

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me. You'd probably have tried to buy another cake and hire a new DJ."

"That sounds like a reasonable solution."

"It was a birthday party, Alexander, not a corporate takeover."

He laughed again.

Adrian liked that sound. It was different from the polite laughter Alexander used during business meetings. It was deeper, more relaxed, and made him look younger.

"I don't think I've laughed this much in a while," Alexander admitted.

"That's a little sad."

"Perhaps."

"Maybe you need better company."

Alexander looked directly at him. "I think I've found it."

Adrian felt warmth spread through his chest.

He took a sip of his drink to hide it.

---

When their meals arrived, the conversation shifted.

Alexander asked about Adrian's business, but this time he didn't approach it like an investor examining a company.

He wanted to know how it had started.

"I began with small birthday parties," Adrian explained. "Mostly for friends and relatives. Then someone recommended me to another person, and eventually I started getting proper clients."

"Did you always want to be an event planner?"

"Not exactly. I liked organizing things, and I enjoyed seeing people happy at events I'd put together. I never imagined I'd turn it into a business."

"And now?"

"Now I spend most of my time worrying about suppliers, budgets, clients, and whether someone will suddenly decide they want a completely different color scheme two days before their event."

Alexander smiled. "Sounds stressful."

"It is. But I love it."

"Even when business isn't going well?"

Adrian paused.

He didn't like discussing his financial problems, especially with someone who could probably spend more money on a weekend than Adrian earned in several months.

"Especially then," he answered. "I've worked too hard to give up because things are difficult."

Alexander studied him.

"You could have asked me for help."

Adrian's expression changed slightly.

"Why would I?"

"Because I could help."

"I know you could. That's not the point."

Alexander placed his fork down.

"I wasn't suggesting you couldn't handle your own business."

"Maybe not, but I don't want you thinking I need to be rescued."

"I don't think that."

"Good."

There was no anger in Adrian's voice, but Alexander understood that the subject mattered to him.

He nodded.

"Then I won't bring it up again unless you ask."

Adrian looked at him for a moment.

"Thank you."

Alexander picked up his glass. "Besides, I hired you because I believe you're capable of doing the job. I wouldn't have given you the contract otherwise."

Adrian smiled.

"That's probably the nicest business compliment I've received."

"Only business compliment?"

"Don't push your luck."

Alexander chuckled.

---

After dinner, they decided to take a short walk through the village.

The streets were quieter now, with snow falling lightly beneath the streetlights. Shops were beginning to close, but the Christmas decorations remained illuminated.

Adrian pulled his jacket closer around himself.

Alexander noticed.

"Are you cold?"

"A little."

"Would you like to go back?"

"No. I'm fine."

Alexander removed his coat and offered it to him.

Adrian stared at it.

"You're going to freeze."

"I'll survive."

"Alexander, put your coat back on."

"Take it."

Adrian sighed, but accepted it. The coat was warm, and the faint scent of Alexander's cologne lingered on the fabric.

They continued walking.

A few minutes later, Adrian stopped near a shop window displaying Christmas ornaments. Among the decorations was a small glass snow globe containing a miniature house covered in snow.

He leaned closer to look at it.

"That's pretty."

Alexander followed his gaze.

"Do you collect those?"

"No. I just like them."

"Why?"

Adrian shrugged. "I don't know. There's something comforting about them. You shake them, and everything becomes a little chaotic, but eventually the snow settles again."

Alexander looked at the snow globe, then at Adrian.

"That's an interesting way to look at it."

"Don't analyze it. It's just a decoration."

"I wasn't."

Adrian turned towards him.

"What were you thinking?"

Alexander hesitated before answering.

"That you notice things most people walk past."

Adrian's expression softened.

"Maybe you should try noticing more."

"I think I will."

They stood together for another moment before continuing their walk.

When they reached the end of the street, Alexander slowed down.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Depends on the question."

"Why are you so careful with me?"

Adrian looked at him.

"Because I don't know you well enough to be careless."

Alexander nodded slowly.

"Fair."

"And because you're used to getting what you want."

"I won't deny that."

"People probably say yes to you all the time."

"Usually."

Adrian gave him a knowing look.

"And you don't like hearing no."

Alexander considered that.

"I don't enjoy it."

"At least you're honest."

"But I can accept it."

Adrian stopped walking.

"Can you?"

Alexander met his eyes.

"Yes. Especially from you."

Adrian searched his face, looking for the arrogance he had expected to find.

Instead, Alexander seemed completely serious.

"Then we're making progress."

Alexander smiled.

"I hope so."

---

When they returned to the estate, the driver was waiting near the entrance.

Adrian removed Alexander's coat and handed it back.

"Thank you for dinner."

"Thank you for coming."

"I had a good time."

"So did I."

They stood beside the vehicle, neither seeming particularly eager to end the evening.

Alexander looked at Adrian's face.

"I'd like to see you again."

Adrian smiled. "You saw me yesterday."

"And today."

"Your point?"

"I still want to see you tomorrow."

Adrian laughed.

"You're becoming demanding."

"I'm trying to be consistent."

"There's a difference?"

"Apparently."

Adrian stepped closer and gently straightened the collar of Alexander's coat.

"You don't have to arrange something every day to prove you like me."

Alexander looked down at him.

"I know. I just enjoy being around you."

For once, Adrian didn't have a teasing response ready.

He liked hearing that.

He liked it more than he wanted Alexander to know.

"Goodnight, Alexander."

"Goodnight, Adrian."

Adrian turned towards the entrance, but Alexander spoke again.

"One more thing."

He looked back.

"May I kiss you?"

The question caught Adrian by surprise.

Alexander wasn't leaning closer or attempting to close the distance. He was simply waiting for an answer.

Adrian glanced briefly at his lips.

"Not tonight."

Alexander nodded immediately.

"All right."

Adrian smiled.

"But I like that you asked."

"Then I'll keep asking."

"Don't make it a habit of asking every five minutes."

"I'll try to control myself."

Adrian laughed and walked inside.

Alexander watched him disappear through the entrance before finally getting into the vehicle.

He had wanted to kiss Adrian badly.

But hearing Adrian laugh, watching him talk about his work, and spending an evening without business or distractions had given him something better than a hurried kiss.

It had given him another reason to want the next day.

---

Upstairs, Adrian placed his jacket over a chair and checked his phone.

A message from Alexander appeared.

Alexander: I hope you got upstairs safely.

Adrian: I did. You can stop worrying.

Alexander: I'm not sure I can.

Adrian: That's something you'll have to work on.

Alexander: Goodnight, beautiful.

Adrian stared at the message, smiling.

He typed a reply, deleted it, then tried again.

Adrian: Goodnight, Alexander.

He put his phone down and walked towards the bathroom.

For the first time since accepting the Christmas contract, he found himself looking forward to something that had absolutely nothing to do with the event.

And that was precisely what made him nervous.

Because Alexander Sterling was becoming more than an attractive distraction.

He was becoming someone Adrian might actually miss when he wasn't around.