Husband With Benefits

"Wow. You just returned from the hottest party in town, and you’re seething? What happened? I was sure you would hook up with someone tonight. Didn’t find anyone to your liking?"

Grant shot a sharp, withering glare at his friend, silencing any further questions before striding purposefully toward his desk. He yanked open the drawer and retreived the contract he had recently signed with Frost Industries. His jaw clenched as his eyes skimmed over the finely printed text for what felt like the hundredth time. Damn it. He should have known better—should have realized that some deals were too good to be true.

Now here he was, locked into a partnership with the Frosts. Instead of celebrating the company’s latest success, he would have to shift focus entirely—to safeguard his interests and, worse, babysit Miss Innocensa Frost.

Grant sat heavily in his chair, the frustration radiating off him in waves. The room felt smaller, suffocating even, as he continued to look for that stupid clause.

Dave strolled towards him, a curious smirk playing on his lips as he leaned casually against the edge of Grant’s desk. "Why are you scrutinizing that contract like it holds the secrets to the universe? Any closer, and your nose will be rubbing against the paper. Spill it. What’s going on?"

Grant snapped his head up, his glare turning icy. He tossed the contract onto the desk with a sharp slap of paper on wood. "Did you know about this?" he demanded in a tone that was almost accusatory.

Dave raised a brow, his smirk faltering at the intensity in Grant’s voice. "Know about what?"

"That we’re merging with the Frost empire," Grant spat the words laced with barely concealed anger. "Because I sure as hell didn’t sign up for that."

Dave blinked, taken aback by the vehemence in his friend’s tone. Straightening, his earlier amusement evaporated as he questioned. "Wait—merging? No, that can’t be right. I thought this deal was about an investment and collaboration. Are you serious?"

Grant’s expression drakened and he snarled,"Of course, I am serious. Do I look like I am joking?"

Dave held up his hands in a calming gesture, though his own sense of dread was high. "Alright, alright, don’t bite my head off. Let me see the papers." He reached for the contract, pretending a calm he did not feel.