No Longer Your Secret

Our department went on a hiking trip for our annual corporate retreat.

When it came time to split into groups, I looked at Christian Sterling, my boss—and the man I’d been secretly dating for two years.

I thought he would choose me.

Instead, his eyes landed on Valerie Hayes, his childhood friend who had just returned from Europe.

"You don't have the stamina for this. Stick with me, I’ll pull you along," he said.

Valerie naturally looped her arm through his.

Our coworkers immediately started teasing them. "Childhood sweethearts just hit different! Mr. Sterling, you’re still single, right?