When they walk into the lobby, a large group of employees stand by the door including William Mathew. Lorenzo and Mercer make their way over to the large group. Lorenzo was the first to make it to their coworkers. He stood next to his father, greeting him with a nod. Lorenzo looked back at the other, who was still a few feet behind, because he was taking his sweet old time. He urges Mercer to walked faster. Mercer nearly tripped on his feet as he picked up the pace. He made it over to them and smiled softly.

“Hello Mr. Mathew,” His voice was a little worn out but very warm.

“Good evening Mercer,” William’s voice echoes through the lobby. His deep and firm tone held much authority.

Mercer shifted on his feet, a bit nervous being around so many people. Lorenzo noticed and discreetly lay his hand on the small of Mercer’s back. Mercer stiffened but immediately stopped fidgeting. Lorenzo’s hand sent warm tingles down his back, memories of their kiss flooded into his mind but he quickly pushed them out.

After Mercer calmed down and Lorenzo along with his father were done talking, the group slowly started inching out the door. It took awhile for everyone to get out but soon they were all out on the snowy street.

Snow had come late that year, but the months before the first flake were very chilly. Just the star of December is when it had started snowing. It was only two days into the month and snow covered the ground. Slush and sidewalk salt accumulated on the sidewalks. People were in winter hats and coats. It wasn’t long before blizzards came and even Christmas. Though it would be another lonely. Christmas for Lorenzo. He never did much, just worked and sometimes admired lights or decor on the streets. But maybe this year would be different. Ever since it started snowing and the though of Christmas came to mind, Lorenzo always thought of Mercer. What if he could celebrate with Mercer as friends or even lovers? Little did he know Mercer was thinking the same.

Mercer only moved to the city last year, so this would be his first Christmas away from home. It bothered him a lot, not being able to be with his sisters or parents. Not getting to eat Christmas dinner with them or open presents. He had thought a lot about what he would do this year. But every time he thought about it, it made him sad. Except the thought of Lorenzo, his amazing boss. Of course Mercer had a crush on him. He was all professional, muscles, and height. Mercer couldn’t even get started on how his eyes and lips moved when he talked or looked at him. A soft noise came from Mercer’s mouth as he kept fantasizing about Lorenzo. The topic of Mercer’s fantasies; Lorenzo, looked back, a king of red bruising his cheeks. Mercer ran into Lorenzo’s chest and giggled, still in his thoughts.

“ah Mercer,” Lorenzo cleared his throat.

Mercer’s body went stone cold, blush creeping up his neck and flushed into his face. He took a step back, his hands falling to his sides from Lorenzo’s chest. He didn’t even realize how close they had gotten. A low hearty chuckle drew from Lorenzo’s throat as he tapped Mercer’s forehead.

“What were you thinking about Mercer?”

“I-uh…nothing,” He rubbed his forehead where Lorenzo touched him and looked down.

“Doesn’t seem like nothing,” Lorenzo lifted his chin. “You were making some pretty happy noises back there before running into me and feeling up my chest.”

“I was just daydreaming…I guess,” Mercer’s eyes locked with Lorenzo’s.

“Must have been a pretty good daydream,” Lorenzo snaked his finger down Mercer’s neck.”

Mercer’s body went stiff yet again.

Lorenzo leaned down and whispered in his ear. “Easy there tiger, no dirty thoughts,” He winked before pulling away and catching up to the group. Mercer stood frozen in a daze before hustling back to the group.

The door of “Harley’s” opened as the group walked in. The bar was fairly loud, lit with many small lamps and fairy lights. Everyone shuffled into the bar and booths. Mercer, Lorenzo, William, and Liam file into a four person booth. Emily and Maria weren’t too far behind them and pulled up two chairs to the front of their table.

“Ah,” Liam sighed as he leaned back and picked up a menu. “I love this place.”

“Liam you only like this place because your side piece works here,” Lorenzo glared at him.

“Actually its boyfriend now,” Liam stuck his tongue out.

“Oh congrats,” Mercer spoke up softly with a smile on his face. “Is Tristan on shift today?”

“Yes he is,” Liam smiled ear to ear. “I requested him as out server.”

Lorenzo rolled his eyes. “Love Birds,” He muttered subconsciously looking as Mercer.”

William, who was sitting next to Lorenzo, stayed quiet. His face was buried in the menu. He let out a low sigh and neatly folded the menu back on the table. Everyone looked over to him expecting William to say something. He locked eyes with everyone, confused as to why they are staring at him.

“What?” His voice was low and echoes through the booth.

Everyone froze and Liam was the first to speak up. “Um we I uh… we thought you were going to say something.”

“All I did was sigh.”

“Yeah but when you sigh, we all think we did something wrong and that you are going to yell at us,” Emily piped up.

“You all really think that?” William asked and everyone at the table nodded. “What the hell do you all take me for?”

“Dad, you are our boss and you have a bad temper, sometimes,” Lorenzo smiled.

William couldn’t help but scoff and throw his hands up mid air. “I’m not that bad. You guys as just a whole bunch of woosies.”

Lorenzo chuckled. “Point proved. Back temper AND defensive.”

Everyone but William laughed.

“You shut up boy,” William glared at his son.

William was about to say something else when Tristan walked over. His hair is still bright pink as ever, a wide smile plastered on his face. His eyes immediately lock with Liam’s and they share a wink.

“Tristan!” Mercer smiled widely.

“Hey cuties,” Tristan smiled. “I’ll be your server for tonight. I already know some of you but I don’t think I have met this beautiful couple,” Tristan pointed his pen at Maria and Emily. “What are your names lovelies?”

“I’m Emily and this is my fiance Maria,” Emily smiled and Maria waved.

“You two are stunning together,” He looked at them softly. “Now,” He cleared his throat. “What can I get you all tonight?”

Liam turned to Tristan and winked once more. Tristan caught his signal and smiled.

“Later Liam. If you play your card right you will get me on nice clean sheets and rose petals.” Emily catcalled and giggled. “Somebody’s getting laid tonight,” She jabbed Liam’s arm.

Liam was taken aback by his boyfriend’s words. His face was as red as a tomato and all he could do was nod.

“I’ll do a strawberry vanilla mocktail,” Mercer piped up.

Tristan wrote it down with his small notepad with a frown. “You aren’t drinking anything alcoholic tonight, love?”

“No. I have some things to do with Lorenzo and his father tomorrow and I don’t want to feel a hangover. Plus I think Lorenzo is drinking and I might as well be his DD.”

“Oh that’s a shame,” Tristan rubbed Mercer’s shoulder. “Next time though, then we can have fun,” And Mercer agreed.

Tristan followed the line of people and looked to Liam. “What do you want babe?”

“A seltzer please,” He smiled. “You can surprise me with the flavor if you want?”

“Alrighty,” Tristan jotted down a few more words.

“I’ll have a scotch on the rocks,” William looked up.

“Good choice, good choice,” He muttered.

“I will do a whiskey neat and an order of fries if that’s alright?” Lorenzo set his menu down.

“Sure thing,” Tristan smiled. “And for the girlies?”

“A pina colada,” Emily smiled.

“Captain Morgan and coke,” Maria looked up.

“Ooh very original,” Tristan looked up. “I like your vibes.”

“That you.”

Tristan ripped their order out of his notepad and turned on his heels. “I will get that right with you in a few minutes.”

“Thank you, Tristan!” Mercer hollered.

Tristan looked back and blew a kiss at him. “Anything for you, love.”

“Why does he talk to you like that and not me!” Liam threw his hands up. “I’m his boyfriend, not you.”

Mercer shrugged.

The bar got louder and louder as the minutes passed. Soon Tristan walked over with all their drinks. He set each glass in front of their respective owners, also remembering to give Lorenzo his fries. Liam was the last to get his drink. When Tristan set the seltzer down he gave Liam a quick kiss. He walked back behind the bar leaving the group to their own devices.

After only two rounds of drinks, Liam was feeling the effects. He had only two seltzers but that was enough to make him stumble on his words and feet. He decided to stop after the two and accompany Tristan at the bar. There he drank water and snacked on cheese curds.

Over at the booth, the group ordered four more rounds since Liam left. Emily and Maria had paid their tab and were saying their goodbyes.

“Its not fair you two get the rest of the week off and we only get Friday off,” Emily jabbed her finger at Lorenzo and Mercer.

Maria tugged Emily’s arm. “Alright, you’ve had too much to drink.”

“No,” Emily whined as he stood up.

Maria nodded to the group and dragged Emily out.

Only Lorenzo, William, and Mercer were left at the booth. Liam was still there just fawning over his boyfriend as he worked. Despite having six drinks, William held his liquor well, Lorenzo did too its just that he became a bit too touchy. He was constantly playing footsies with Mercer under the table. Mercer was sober since he wasn’t drinking anything alcoholic, so he was growing annoyed when Lorenzo kept kicking him like a little kid. With every drink Lorenzo kept getting louder and louder. After eight rounds, William closed the company tab and got ready to go. Lorenzo wasn’t too happy when Tristan stopped giving them drinks. He was tugging on his sleeve begging for more. At one point Tristan had to push him back into the booth and ignore him. William left, leaving his drunk son with Mercer.

“Lorenzo, come on. We need to go,” Mercer stood up.

“I’m not leaving until they give me a more drinks,” Lorenzo crossed his arms.

“Your dad has already closed the tab and Tristan isn’t going to serve us anymore.”

“Why not?!” Lorenzo threw his hands up.

“Because his shift ends and he is taking Liam with him. The bar is also closing soon since it’s a week night,” Mercer ushered him out of the booth.

“Can we go to another bar?” Lorenzo looked up with wide hopeful eyes, like a child begging for a treat.

“No, we both need to go home and get rest. We have to help your dad in the morning.”

Lorenzo sighed and stood up. “Fine but who’s going to take me home?”

“I will. We live in the same area anyways and I didn’t have anything to drink tonight.”

“Oh..why not?” Lorenzo looked down.

“Because I knew this was going to happen.”

Mercer guided Lorenzo back to the office to retrieve his car. Mercer helped Lorenzo get settled before leaving the parking lot.

The car ride to Lorenzo’s penthouse is quiet except for the soft tapping of Lorenzo’s food on the floor. He sat in the passenger seat gazing out of the window while Mercer drove.

“You know,” Lorenzo spoke up, his words a bit slurred. “You would make a great boyfriend.”

Mercer’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. “What makes you say that?” He took a quick look at Lorenzo before looking back on the road.

“You are nice, organized, very handsome, cute and oh and nice! Did I say that already?” Lorenzo smiled wide.

“Oh really.”

Mercer’s chest tightened with both nervousness and hope. He really wanted to be with Lorenzo but he knew his father had other plants for him. He didn’t even know if Lorenzo was gay, let alone bi.

“Yup suuuper nice.”

“You have said that three times now,” Mercer smiled.

“Yeah because you are three nices in a row.”

“Hey, Lorenzo, tell me if you are going to throw up at all,” Mercer looked over.

“Why would I-,” Lorenzo is was cut off when a gag rippled through his stomach and mouth.

Lorenzo put his feet on the ground and leaned out of the car. More gags surged through his body. Mercer leaned over to rub his back. After a few more gags Lorenzo finally threw up. A mixture of fries, different colors of liquids and whatever he had for lunch hit the ground. Mercer tilted his head away and winced. Once all the contents in Lorenzo’s stomach were on the ground, he leaned against the front of the glove box. Mercer quickly grabbed a few paper towels from the back and handed them to him. Lorenzo weakly grabbed them and wiped his mouth. He threw the paper towels on the ground next to his mess and groaned.

“Shit,” He held his head. “Remind me to never drink that much again.”

Mercer couldn’t help but smile, his hand now drawing small circles on the small of Lorenzo’s back. “Note taken.”

Lorenzo slumped back into the passenger seat. “God.”

“Are you okay if I keep driving?”

“Yeah, the sooner the better.”

Mercer reached over and closed the passenger door. He then helped Lorenzo buckle back up, before driving away. As the car lunged forward and the engine humped, Mercer immediately rolled down the passenger window. Lorenzo leaned his head out of the window and took a deep breath.

“Thank you for doing this, taking care of me, that is,” He said quietly, not looking at Mercer.

“Yeah, its no problem. When we get to your house do you want me to walk you in or drop you off at the front door?”

“I think I can manage to get to the front door,” Lorenzo sighed.

“Alright,” Mercer looked back to the road and silence fell between them.”

City buildings passed by as they made it to Lorenzo’s penthouse. The penthouse complex had around 16 floors. The top six floors were penthouses including Lorenzo’s. The remaining nine floors held eight apartments each level, and then there was the lobby. After seeing how big the building was, Mercer second guessed if he should let Lorenzo go up alone. When he pulled into the parking lot, he got out of the car and helped Lorenzo out as well. The two of them walked through the lobby and to the elevators.

“What floor?” Mercer asked as he stepped in behind Lorenzo.

“15,” He muttered.

Mercer hit the 15th floor button and the elevator chimed. Floors passed as the elevator went further up. Soon they made it to the 15th floor, in which the whole level was Lorenzo’s. Lorenzo managed to put the passkey in and open the door. He stumbled on the rub as he kicked his shoes off. Mercer walked further in, amazed by the decor and size. He found a light switch nest to the open kitchen, off of the entry way. Mercer licked it up and gasped. When the lights turned on the reflection of the city hit the windows and shards of light hit the walls. Suddenly Mercer felt a slight breeze behind his neck.