Hi! Thank you for having me on your blog. I hope you and your readers are going to enjoy what I have here. This short story was released previously as a part of an anthology, Just Desserts. When it was no longer out there, Evernight adopted it. I’m so thankful for them. This is an MM
sweet short story with the stress on the sweet. ^_^
Strictly Professional
Published By: Evernight Publishing
Published: March 23, 2016
Cover Artist: Jay Aheer
Word Count: 10,500
Heat Index 
Blurb
As the only senior graphic designer at Downey Handbags, Zane Kotsky expected to become the head of the creative art department when the company planned to expand its business. His hope crashed when it turned out that the company wanted someone from outside to be the manager. Knowing that, Zane planned to leave the place at once, but that was before he met the man who would become his boss, Joachim Wessling.
This is a previously published work. It has been revised and edited for Evernight Publishing.
Excerpt
“Downey must be very lucky to have you.”
The kid—because that was what he was to Joachim, a kid—stared at him a bit too long.
“Watch the road.” Zane snickered, and switched his attention back to the traffic ahead.
“Lucky. Yeah, I’d call it lucky they decided not to kick me out after denying me what should have been mine by right.”
Joachim hadn’t expected to hear those words. “I'm sorry. I don't have any idea what you're talking about.”
Zane sucked in a harsh breath. “God, I'm sorry. That was totally uncalled for. Forget what I said, okay? And enjoy your stay here. People at Downey are the best, or I wouldn't have lasted this long.”
Joachim frowned. Honestly, he didn’t know this would be the case. When they’d invited him to join the company, there was no talk that someone else might be qualified to be the head of the art department. In fact, he was under the impression that there hadn't been an art department before, only a small division under a larger unit.
“You know, I can always talk to Mr. Downey and set things straight.”
Joachim had never before seen an expression change from slight panic to utter horror.
“No,” Zane practically shouted. “You can't tell him that. You have to promise you'll never talk to Mr. Downey about the things I said. I'll be happy to work under you. Work together with you. It was just a spur-of-the-moment outburst. Promise me, please?”
Joachim tried to think past the words work under you, and Zane's pleas didn't help the matter. He took a deep breath and gazed ahead. “Okay, I promise not to say anything, though I’d prefer it if we're all open and honest and don't hide things from each other.”
“I’ve been open and honest with you.”
“Yeah, and I bet you regret it.”
“Watch the road.” Zane snickered, and switched his attention back to the traffic ahead.
“Lucky. Yeah, I’d call it lucky they decided not to kick me out after denying me what should have been mine by right.”
Joachim hadn’t expected to hear those words. “I'm sorry. I don't have any idea what you're talking about.”
Zane sucked in a harsh breath. “God, I'm sorry. That was totally uncalled for. Forget what I said, okay? And enjoy your stay here. People at Downey are the best, or I wouldn't have lasted this long.”
Joachim frowned. Honestly, he didn’t know this would be the case. When they’d invited him to join the company, there was no talk that someone else might be qualified to be the head of the art department. In fact, he was under the impression that there hadn't been an art department before, only a small division under a larger unit.
“You know, I can always talk to Mr. Downey and set things straight.”
Joachim had never before seen an expression change from slight panic to utter horror.
“No,” Zane practically shouted. “You can't tell him that. You have to promise you'll never talk to Mr. Downey about the things I said. I'll be happy to work under you. Work together with you. It was just a spur-of-the-moment outburst. Promise me, please?”
Joachim tried to think past the words work under you, and Zane's pleas didn't help the matter. He took a deep breath and gazed ahead. “Okay, I promise not to say anything, though I’d prefer it if we're all open and honest and don't hide things from each other.”
“I’ve been open and honest with you.”
“Yeah, and I bet you regret it.”
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Thank you so much for having me. :)
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