AS Mac waited for Higgins to return to the office, his raw anger slowly turned to guilt. This was why he had so few friends. Why he no longer had a boyfriend. Pushing people away seemed to be what he did best. Now, he had alienated the one person who might actually help him to grow past all of that. You stupid sod.

At half past four, Mac heard the lift door open, the tell-tale sound of his assistant's footsteps, and the door next to his opening. Swallowing every bit of pride he had, the CFO made his way to Higgins’ office, knocking quietly on the doorframe. 'May I come in?'

Higgins didn’t so much as pause as he packed his things. 'Not my office anymore, mate.'

Mac's voice was even tinier still. 'It is. That is, if you want it.'

His words paused the man’s hands, but didn't make him turn. Instead, he spoke with more anger and hurt than Mac had ever heard from him before. 'Oh? Change that stubborn-arse mind of yours, have you?'

'Zed.' That single word stopped the assistant entirely. It was the first time he'd ever said his employee’s nickname aloud and the effect of him saying it seemed to be equal with both men. It’s now or never, old chap. Make it count. 'What you said upset me because, well, you're right. I've always thought that emotion had no place in business. Yet, I let it leak sometimes. I don't quite realise. And when I do, I get defensive. Robotic, even. I really need to stop doing that.'

Zed’s words had an edge as they left his mouth. 'So, what, now you've seen the error of your ways and tomorrow you'll be bloody Father Christmas?'

'No. No, I'm enough of a stubborn-arse that I'm sure it will take a great deal of time. What I'm hoping— asking— is that you'll give me the time to change. Stick with me. I can't quite put my finger on why, but the fact remains that you're good for me. I know I keep repeating that at the oddest times, but it seems to be true. I need you here— by my side, not under my feet. For the sake of the business.’ He paused for a long moment, shifting his gaze to the wall behind Zed. ‘For my own sake.'

Zed was quiet long enough that Mac was somewhat afraid of the next words from his mouth. When he spoke, the tone of a man injured was still there, and Mac certainly didn’t blame him. 'That person you first employed— That isn't who I am, you know. I'm not that cowering, stuttering, pushover you hired. And I never will be again.'

'Yes, I'm starting to see that.' You have no idea how much.

'So, if that's who you want—'

'It isn't. Truly.'

But his frown remained in place. 'I took this job because I'm good at this type of work. And I wanted to be as close to it as possible, even if it meant fetching your bloody coffee every morning! And I'm not saying I'm your equal, either. You do things in the boardroom I could never do. But, I'm certainly better than being your bloody errand boy.' Mac merely nodded, clearly trying not to provoke the growingly passionate man any further.

After a long and pensive moment, Zed gave a heavy sigh before opening the top drawer of his desk and taking out a small envelope. 'Did you know your mother left me something in her will?’

The shift in subject matter caused Mac’s jaw to fall open. 'She— what?'

'Her solicitor found me at the funeral. Thought it was best I not tell you.' Mac took the envelope handed to him and opened it carefully. His mother's beautiful and careful handwriting stared back at him, a thump thickening in his throat. Silently, he read, her voice leaking through every word. 

I, Ana MacIntire, do hereby charge Mr Zachary Higgins with the enormous duty of caring for my son, Augustus James MacIntire V. Augie was once a headstrong and imaginative child full of promise and hope. As he grew older, however, he stopped looking up to me and started looking up to his father. His father, while a good and loving man, has priorities which I do not wish for my son to emulate. Priorities which have skewed his perspective as to what is important in life. You, Zachary, are the antidote. I don't know why, but I truly feel, in my soul, that you are the person who is to help my son. Not to change him; people do not change. But they can grow, learn, and evolve. I know it will be difficult. I know it will be trying. But please, be there for my son when I cannot be. Show him who he can be, because I failed to do so.

Mac's eyes were more than a little misty by the time he finished the letter. Even from the grave, she was pushing them together. Why, he would never be able to ask her, which caused the crack in his heart to widen. Zed finally caught Mac's eyes, speaking softly. 'So, you see, I don't have much of a choice. No matter how many times I think of walking out that door, her words have always stopped me. I want to honour her wishes. Truly, I do. But I can't help you if you don't want to be helped.'

Mac nodded, trying desperately to regain his composure. 'Yes. You're right. Of course you are. And, on that note—' He pulled a folder from under his arm, handing it to Zed who opened it without hesitation.

'Another promotion? What more could I possibly be doing, unless you need a live-in butler?'

Mac laughed wetly. 'I was thinking more like “Acting Junior Director of Operations and Assessments.” Same job, but you'll have the title and the respect you deserve. Well, that and no more dry cleaning. Let's face it, Mr Higgins, you haven't been just my assistant for months now. Attending meetings, escorting clients, being my right hand…. It's high time that this company— and more importantly, that I— recognise that fact. I'll give you the week to dec—'

'I'll take it.'

Zed spoke so forcefully that Mac actually stammered. 'You— you will?'

'On one condition.'

'Anything, Mr Higgins. Just name it.'

He gave a small smile. 'My name is Zed.'

The CFO beamed, not even attempting to restrain the smile. 'Of course, Zed. And I'm Mac. Now, before we break out into some sort of horrible children's rhyme, what do you say to a celebratory dinner?'

Zed grinned widely. 'You're buying.'

Mac laughed as he grabbed his coat. 'Only fair.'