"You're looking good today," Rick greeted Joe as he entered Joe's office.

"Thanks," replied Joe with a smile. He was feeling good. He had finally found an apartment he could afford and for the first time in months had slept comfortably in a soft bed not surrounded by strangers. He had been able to shower and shave in private and have a breakfast that wasn't bathed in grease. For the first time since leaving Bayport, he felt human again.

"I finished the layout for the sample brochure you asked for," Joe said. "Want to see?" he asked eagerly.

"That's why I'm here," Rick replied, delighting in Joe's exuberance. He closed the door and moved over to Joe's desk, unaware Lani Greene and Pat McPherson, two new members of the Tyrell team hired exclusively for the new photography department, had overheard his comment to Joe.

Tall and skinny, Lani was a good-natured man in his early thirties who had resigned his position with Blade Incorporated to come and work for Rick Tyrell at the Tyrell Enterprises head office. When he had accepted the position he had no clue that he would be working under a teenager who had yet to finish high school. Like Pat and most of the other employees, he had picked up on the fact that Mr. Tyrell had more than a passing interest in in his new employee. The only person who seemed oblivious to the attraction was Joe.

"Joe turns eighteen tomorrow," Pat said, her green eyes watching the closed door with interest. "Do you think the boss will make his move then?"

"If I were he, I would," Lani answered. "He's certainly put enough time and money into wooing him."

"Hold it," Pat objected, looking at him in stern disapproval. "Joe's a hard worker," she defended her immediate superior. "He may be young and learning but he's giving it everything he's got. Joe's a nice kid. And for that matter, Rick is a great boss!"

Lani held up his hands in a defensive gesture. "Relax, Pat. I agree. I like them both. I just meant that Rick seems really interested in Joe and since Joe is going to be of legal age tomorrow then there would be no better time to let his intentions be known. Unless..."

"Unless?"

"Unless Joe has no interest in guys," Lani answered.

"Well, he certainly doesn't seem to have any interest in females," Pat retorted. "Kelly's been coming on to him like you wouldn't believe but even though Joe is polite about it, he never takes her up on any of her offers."

"He's gay," Lani declared. "How could any red-blooded straight guy turn Kelly down?"

"Maybe he has been hurt," suggested Pat thoughtfully. "Once bitten; twice shy," she quoted.

"Possible," Lani agreed. "He does seem starved for affection."

"I noticed that too," concurred Pat, then fell silent as the door to Joe's office opened and Rick and Joe exited.

"I'm on my way to campus," Joe informed Lani and Pat. "I'll be back after lunch."

"I thought you had an earlier class?" Pat asked, realizing that Joe was here at an unusual time of day.

"They are having convocation this morning," Joe explained. "The first two classes of the day were canceled so if anyone wanted to attend they could."

Joe exited the building housing his last class and headed for the bus stop. Arriving, he was surprised to see a bright red Porsche parked nearby with Rick sitting on the hood.

"What are you doing here?" asked Joe as he neared.

"I thought we could discuss your next training assignment over lunch," explained Rick, standing up straight.

"Okay," Joe agreed at once. He climbed into the passenger side as Rick got behind the wheel.

"In the mood for anything special?" Rick asked he pulled out of his parking space.

"Anything is fine," Joe answered.

Rick drove several miles to a restaurant on the outskirts of town. "It's home style," Rick told Joe. "But it's good food and a quiet place where we can talk."

The two spent the next hour conversing and dining then returned to the office. "Come with me to Doug's office and I'll show you what I mean," Rick instructed as they entered the building.

Joe accompanied Rick to the ninth floor and followed him down the corridor, stumbling to a stop as he passed a lounge where several of the employees had gathered and were talking.

Rick noticed that Joe was no longer following him and retraced his steps. He heard what had captured the young man's attention and put a hand on Joe's shoulder causing him to jump. Rick indicated that Joe should follow him before releasing him. Joe followed Rick in silence back to the elevator and up to the floor where Rick's office was located.

"Do not disturb us," Rick instructed his secretary in a clipped tone as they passed her desk. He entered the office, waited for Joe to come inside, and then closed the door.

"Please, sit down," Rick said. He waited for Joe to take a seat before sitting down behind his desk. "I'm sorry you had to be subjected to that," Rick began.

"But...but why would they think those things?" Joe asked still in shock.

"It's my fault," admitted Rick. "I have a confession to make," he continued. "I have taken an interest in you beyond the bounds of your employer."