Divorce and Desire: Love with My Boss

"Is today some special day? Stop standing around, just sit down and talk."

The table wasn't big, only enough to seat four people.

Noah casually chose a spot, and Ethan naturally sat beside him.

He didn't rush to please him—after all, trying too hard might just send everything back to square one.

Sam was quick on the uptake, pulling Felix in and squeezing into the spot.

Lyon, a beat slower, looked at Ethan with longing, but Ethan, faster than ever, quickly avoided eye contact.

"How about you sit with me?" Shawn leaned back casually against the table and asked Lyon.

Lyon wasn't happy about it, but since this wasn't his turf, he didn't want to make a scene.

Reluctantly, he ended up sitting at another table on the other side.

Felix stared at Sam's hand, which was still gripping his wrist. He didn't move, didn't say a word.

"So, you wanted me to wait here for you... to say what exactly?" If it weren't for Ethan messaging earlier, saying there was something important to discuss, Noah would have already gone home.

"I'm serious about liking you."

Everyone else remained calm, except for Felix.

Cough cough! "Mr. Harrison… you and Noah?" Felix coughed, his face turning bright red, his finger sweeping between the two of them. "You're the so-called 'screening partner' of Mr. Harrison in the rumors—"

Felix stood up, looking at the rest of them, who were all unbothered. "What the hell! You all knew about this, didn't you?!"

Sam, completely unfazed, added, "Yeah, we all figured it out. It's just you who hasn't caught on. It's been so obvious, and you still didn't notice."

"I haven't figured it out? All the people I've gone on blind dates with say I'm a good guy, someone great to be friends with, and that we could start as friends first. Don't you have to be friends before becoming lovers?"

At this point, Sam's expression turned cold. He knew Felix had been going on blind dates for a while.

He just hoped that one day, Felix wouldn't actually fall for someone who could tolerate that stubborn head of his.

The air grew tense for a moment, and the sound of the chairs scraping against the floor pierced the silence, making everyone's nerves twitch.

"I have to go, I've got something to do." Lyon couldn't bear to stay another second.

He knew Ethan was serious, and that his words were aimed directly at him.

He glanced back at Noah, sitting among the crowd. "And... your coffee skills are pretty impressive."

With that, Lyon turned and left without looking back.

In that fleeting moment, the proud omega couldn't stop the tears from falling.

Nothing hurt more than watching the person you liked confess to someone else.

"Well, since everything's been said, let's wrap up and close the shop for the day," Ethan said.

"We?" Ethan's probing gaze landed on Noah.

"Yes, we. Or do you mean them?" Shawn asked, standing closer to Noah, a teasing smile on his face.

The remaining two were looking at them with that typical "we're not leaving until we've seen the last bit of drama" expression.

"Shawn's staying at my place for now," Noah explained, knowing Ethan was waiting for his response.

"Two rooms, right?" Ethan asked.

Noah blinked in confusion. "Of course, two rooms."

It wasn't like they were in a romantic relationship. Why would they share a room?

Well, except maybe Emma—he'd be fine sharing a bed with her as a friend.

"Mm. Then I'll help you tidy up. That way, we can make up for some lost time," Ethan said as he stood, undoing the buttons on his suit jacket and rolling up the sleeves to reveal the strong, muscular wrists Noah had once commented on in a video.

How could Noah possibly turn down free labor?

The five of them quickly cleaned up the shop, and Noah stood by the roadside, waving goodbye to the others.

Then he turned to Ethan, "Aren't you going home?"

Since that random encounter in the elevator, every time Noah saw Ethan, it was always when Ethan knocked on his door.

"I am going home. The properties under my name... if I want to, I can call them home, can't I?" Ethan replied with a casual smile.

"Of course. Then let's go together."

As they walked down the street, Noah couldn't shake the feeling that these two were, either intentionally or unintentionally, crowding him out.

He had become the filling in the sandwich.

Thankfully, it wasn't a long ride. Watching the elevator numbers go up, Noah couldn't wait to be the first one out when the doors opened.

"I'm sorry if I've caused you any trouble," Noah said, glancing at Ethan, who had appeared by his side at some point.

In his mind, he couldn't help but marvel, Those 6.2-foot legs sure come in handy.

"It's fine. You've resolved it, haven't you?"

Although it was Noah's first day meeting Lyon, reading the emotions of a freshly graduated omega was child's play for him.

"But the trouble has already been caused. So, can I invite you to try my cooking?"

Noah hesitated for a moment. "Noah, you're not going to leave me alone at home, are you...?"

"…Oh right, I forgot, there's also the kitchen assassin at home."

Ethan then suggested, "If you don't mind, you could join me."

"Of course, I don't mind."

Unlike the cozy atmosphere at Noah's place, Ethan's apartment looked like one of those polished showrooms you'd see in real estate advertisements.

"Can I take a look inside your fridge?" After getting Ethan's permission, Noah opened the fridge door.

It was packed with fresh fruits and vegetables, and both the refrigerator and freezer were brightly stocked with vivid colors.

This should be enough to feed Shawn and send him home satisfied—no more worries there.

"I'll help you prepare the ingredients," Noah offered.

Ethan tied on a blue apron. "You shouldn't make your guest do all the work."

"No, really, let me help with the prep."

Shawn, already at ease, was lounging lazily on the couch. After the previous incident with the fire, he had learned an important lesson:

Never step into a domain that's not your own.

"Mr. Harrison, why don't you just let Noah do the prep? He's got a good sense of portioning."

Ethan nodded, and Noah glanced at the fridge. "What are you planning to make today?"

"Pizza, beef, and salad."

Noah handed Ethan the shrimp he had picked up and continued rummaging through the fridge for more ingredients. "Do you have enough bowls?"

"We're fully stocked—furniture, bowls, and utensils."

Noah nodded and set the pile of meat on the counter. With only two handfuls of greens left in the fridge, he took them out as well.

"Are you sure about this?" Ethan asked, eyeing the mountain of ingredients, clearly skeptical.

"Yep, don't worry about it. We'll use everything. Trust me."

Noah was in charge of defrosting and washing the ingredients, so he hadn't bothered with an apron.

Once the ingredients were ready, Ethan's swift, smooth movements in the kitchen didn't catch Noah's attention.

His chest is ridiculously muscular…

Come to think of it, how does he manage to wear an apron and still give off this… certain vibe?

As expected, Ethan was impressive. The meal was ready in no time, and Noah had never expected food to taste this good. Just as Noah was about to comment, Ethan spoke up.

"I have a business trip tomorrow. I'll be back in three days."

Noah nodded, "Then I hope your trip goes smoothly."

"When I get back, can I invite you to watch a movie?"

That was a clear signal for a date.

Noah stared at the smooth, white surface of the table, not immediately responding.

He didn't dislike Ethan. After all, he had many wonderful qualities.

He could be a great romantic partner, but when it came to marriage, things were different. Marriage wasn't just about two people anymore.

Ethan's family, from what he could guess, wouldn't accept the idea of him being in a long-term relationship without marriage.

But did he really need to think so far ahead? Even couples break up sometimes. And how could Noah be sure they wouldn't fight down the line?

"Okay, see you in three days."

Noah had already quit his stable, high-paying job—he wasn't afraid of this either.

"What are you two talking about?" Shawn asked, his fingers still damp, "Aren't you heading home, Noah? You have to get up early tomorrow."

Noah stood up. "Then I'll head out. You should get some rest too, save up your energy."

Ethan didn't stop him. "Alright, rest well. And remember to wait for me when I get back."

Back at his apartment, after Noah finished washing up, he found himself unable to sleep. I must have eaten too much. It's definitely not because I'm going to miss Ethan while he's away. He would never expect me to wait for him to come back.