“Colette told everyone that you landed a whale. I guess she’s trying to motivate them. It wouldn’t have been a big deal, except you’ve never had one before. I think they all assumed the same thing I did: that John’s into something weird, and you’re willing to give it to him. They all want to figure out what it is so they can poach your whale.”

Something ugly inside of Zack reared its head and snarled. “They can try, but John doesn’t want anyone else but me.”

“Whoa, buddy. Feeling a little possessive?”

“Of course not! I just don’t want any of those cutthroat jerks thinking they can steal him away.”

“Uh-huh. I believe you. Really. On a different note, what shall we do with the rest of our Friday night? I feel pathetic hanging outside of work like this when our shifts ended twenty minutes ago.”

“I dunno,” Zack said. “It’s kinda late, and I need to feed Ziggy.”

“Come on,” Alexa whined. “You deserve to blow off some steam, Mr. Big Fancy Client. Emphasis on big, I hope.” She gave him a saucy wink. “Besides, we almost never get day shifts at the same time, let alone on a Friday. We’re finally out before the bars are closed for the night! Go home, take care of your dog, invite your friends, and then we’ll all meet at that new gay club near where Lee lives.”

Zack was just about to agree when he stopped short. “Wait a second. Invite my friends? Why my friends?”

Alexa gave him a look of pure innocence. “No reason. I just haven’t seen them in forever. I thought it’d be fun to catch up. How is Lee, by the way?”

Zack smirked. “Are you sure it’s Lee you’re wondering about and not Kira?”

Alexa scoffed, but a blush crept over her face. “Her too, of course. I like all your friends.”

“But you like her the best, right?”

“No, I like me the best.” She smacked him on the arm. “Although, if you do decide to invite Kira, I won’t stop you.”

Zack smiled. “Noted. I’ll go home and get ready then. Text me the address and let me know when you’re leaving.”

Alexa agreed, and the two parted ways. Zack had never been to Alexa’s place, but from what she’d told him, that was because she had a roommate who was “so messy I suspect he’s secretly a dozen pigs, standing on top of each other, wearing a trench coat.”

Zack figured it was better not to press the issue.

When he got home, he found Ziggy in the backyard, right where he’d left him. The dog was curled up in a cardboard box Zack had converted into a makeshift doghouse, sound asleep.

“Look at you, all tuckered out. Were you chasing squirrels, boy?” Zack petted him awake. Ziggy yawned in response, which Zack took as a resounding yes. He led the way to their apartment.

As soon as they were inside, Zack headed straight for his bedroom and flung open his closet door. Before he could choose what to wear, he had to decide what his goal for the night was. Did he want to enjoy a relaxing evening with friends, or was he on the prowl?