The man paused for a moment, his gaze shifting to York. "Leda, who''s this?" he asked, clearly expecting Leda to do the introductions.


    York was just as curious to hear how she''d introduce him. He kept his expression neutral, though he was all ears, a flicker of anticipation dancing in his eyes.


    "Oh, this is York, the heir to the Gibson family," Leda said casually.


    Well, that was... not wrong, but not quite what the two men were hoping to hear. "So, is he your...?" the colleague probed further.


    This time York didn''t wait for her to answer. He jumped in, "Boyfriend. I''m her boyfriend." He repeated it for emphasis, "I am her boyfriend."


    The colleague turned to Leda for confirmation, a hint of disbelief in his eyes.


    This made Mr. Gibson chuckle with a mix of amusement and frustration. He wrapped an arm possessively around Leda''s waist, pulling her closer.


    Leda yed along, leaning gently into his embrace and nodding at the colleague. "Yes, he is," she confirmed.


    The colleague walked away looking a bit deted.


    As soon as he was out of sight, Leda stood upright and swatted York''s hand off her shoulder. "Alright, enough. He''s gone."


    York winced at the sharp smack, shaking his hand as if to shake off the sting. "Ow! Could you be any gentler?!"


    Leda smirked, "Nope."


    "You''ve been ignoring me calls unanswered, texts unread. Seriously, what gives?"


    "Oh, so it was you who kept calling over and over, Mr. Gibson? Haven''t you got anything better to do than y phone tag?"


    York was indignant. "If you hade down on time, would I have needed to call repeatedly?"


    "On time for what? Did we have an appointment?" Leda looked genuinely puzzled.


    York''s eyes widened. "Didn''t you say you didn''t have to workte tonight?!"


    "I did, but I never asked you to pick me up."


    Sure, she didn''t have to pull an all-nighter, but that didn''t mean she could leave immediately. She still had work to wrap up and besides, she had her car with her.


    York, looking a bit flustered,


    softened his tone slightly. "Well wate


    thought as your boyfriend-your, uh, official boyfriend-this was the sort of thing I should do." Content I


    "With that tone and volume, you''re not even close to having the right idea."


    He froze for a second, then his


    anged, his voice


    to a softer, more yful


    pitch. "Leda~ Is this better?"


    She finally cracked a smile. "Hmm, it''ll do."


    "Great!" York sprang into action, opening the passenger door with a flourish. "Your chariot awaits, mdy~"


    "No need, my car''s just over there," she said, reaching for her bag to leave.


    "Aw,e on..." York blocked her path, feigning a cough. "Humor me?" "Why?"


    "Hop in my car,e over to my ce."


    Leda raised an eyebrow. "And then?"


    "Have a little fun," he said with a mischievous grin.


    "Ugh..."


    The incorrigible flirt!


    Unable to resist his persistent charm, Leda finally relented and got into York''s car.


    Then-


    The doors locked, the windows rolled up.


    And York, like a big affectionate puppy, snuggled up to her...