“Thanks, Drew. I’ll get that report back to you tomorrow so you can take a look at it.” Thank God the tedious weekly wrap-up meeting was over. Thorne had thought some of the junior consultants were never going to shut up. At least now there were only a few hours left before he’d see Dash.

Drew frowned. “I’m spending the weekend at the lake. It’s my family reunion. We don’t have internet there, but I’ll be on it first thing Monday. We’ve got another week before we need it finalized.”

Thorne’s initial reaction was annoyance. His employees knew this wasn’t a nine-to-five job. Then he thought about telling Dash he didn’t take weekends off. Was he the only one who didn’t have a life? “That will work. Just make it a priority on Monday.”

“Yes, sir. I will. See you next week.” Drew grabbed his suit jacket from the back of his chair and turned to leave. Everyone else had left the room, except Sandra, one of the senior consultants. She and Drew nearly collided in their rush to get out the door. Apparently, Thorne wasn’t the only one ready to wrap up the day.

“You first.” Drew stepped out of Sandra’s way.

“Thank you. Have fun at the lake. Wish I could be there this weekend.”

“My mother-in-law will be with us, so it could be interesting. Hopefully I can spend most of Saturday on a raft with a beer.”

Sandra laughed. “I hope so.”

“What are you up to this weekend?” Drew asked as he followed Sandra out the door. Thorne was right behind them.

“I’ve got a date tonight, actually. And tomorrow I’m spending the day at the aquarium with some business-school friends who are in town.”

Thorne had been certain Sandra would be working. She often e-mailed him with questions and comments on weekends.

“First date?” Drew asked.

“Second.”

“Well, have a nice night.”

Sandra smiled. “I will.”

Thorne repressed a sigh. His weekend wouldn’t be completely lonely. He had a date that night too. Well, sort of. Did he really want that? A relationship? Since he hired Dash, he could ask him to leave anytime if he needed privacy or a quiet place to work. If they were dating, there would be different expectations. Not that he’d be dating Dash if he were dating.

“What about you, Mr. Shipton?” Drew asked, looking behind him. “Have you got plans for the weekend?”

Thorne fought the urge to scowl. Drew was being friendly. “Not really. Just catching up on work.”

Sandra frowned. “You should get out more.”

“You’re not the only one who thinks so.” Usually Thorne blew off comments like that, said something about working all weekend being a price he was willing to pay, but right then he wanted more weekend plans. He wanted to be like Drew and Sandra.