While Ria had not wanted to break up our monthly ritual she wanted it to happen at their home. The better for her to watch out for her husband. She was sweetly protective of him and thought he got depressed when we talked the market. Drake swore he was fine, to me. I laughed when after he thought about it for a minute he told me not to tell Ria. It was typical Drake, well, the Drake before he got married to the wrong woman and became bitter. I’m glad to have this Drake back.

“Ah, since the kids are not here I am the one you are going to boss and mother?”

“Heaven forbid someone be concerned about the great invincible Leandros Kaplan. I wouldn’t dare, nor will I tell anyone I’m limiting you to one glass of wine at dinner tonight. Unless you want to sleep in the guest room. Your secrets are safe with me. Like how you aren’t nearly as scary as you make out and how nice you are to women and small children. The children might out you though with all the pictures they shared of your birthday party last month.”

It had not been much of a party, just Ria, Drake, Dmitri, and his wife Elise and their four kids which was more than fine with me. Last year she invited Dmitri and his wife after finding out through Drake that Dmitri was pretty much the only other person I saw outside of business. She and Elise have become close friends since then, and every once in a while, my dinner here included Elise and Dmitri as well.

Dinner is delicious as usual. The praise I give Ria is sincere, even if she had just picked the menu I would be impressed. Except Ria always does the cooking, saying I deserved to have someone cook with love for me. Drake had laughed at my confusion, knowing I had no idea what to make of the concept of someone cooking with love.

Ria teases me over the latest firing. “You didn’t really throw her out completely naked, did you?”

I shrug. “She didn’t seem very concerned with modesty when she spread her legs wide in front of the head of my human resources. She got her clothes back before she left the building.”

“And the new one, I’m guessing you’re sure she won’t cause any of those kind of problems.”

Shaking my head, I fight to school my features. Ria has somehow managed to read me. The last thing I want to do is talk about Alexa to Ria.

“Well, what’s she like?”

“She...” I shrug. “She’s an intelligent woman, very hard working, and patient.”

Ria’s eyes narrow. “Is she single?”

“No, she is married. She is also an employee. Don’t even think it.”