Aiden went to the convenience store for a candy bar to fuel his after-hours work. He was sifting through files he'd copied from company executives' computers, per Aaron's orders. He was well-paid, but preferred playing his favorite MMORPG. His in-game wife, Nova Lundstrom, was beautiful and funny, though she lived in Sweden. Their future seemed uncertain, given he was a lifelong New Yorker.

Love was on his mind as he returned to his apartment, but he hadn't expected to see his boss's love interest, Keeley Hall, in the elevator with another man. He felt sorry for Aaron; Keeley seemed uninterested in him. However, Keeley's shirt looked awfully familiar—he was sure it was Aaron's.

If she'd spent the night at Aaron's, how was she with another man? Aiden offered to intervene, and the other man seemed relieved, suggesting he wasn't close to Keeley. This might have been the first time she'd let her guard down with him, and he was unsure how to react. This was potentially good news for Aaron; they didn't appear to be dating.

Leaving Keeley, Aiden debated reporting this. It wasn't his business, and Aaron would be furious—he didn't want to be the messenger. Ignoring it was safer. It was a shame; Aaron cared deeply, but Keeley seemed indifferent. He'd been in a terrible mood at work since encountering her again at a coffee shop.

Aiden wanted the gossip firsthand. Aaron had been unusually happy all day. His demeanor was softer, and the office atmosphere felt different. Everyone was whispering; they'd never seen him like this.

The Hale Investments' cafeteria was one of the city's best, so few packed lunches. It was also a great place for gossip, as higher-ups preferred outside restaurants.

Aiden frantically stopped his coworker, Cameron Singleton. "Cam! Cameron Singleton! Get over here!"

"I'm the head of the analyst department; don't call me Cam where others can hear," Cameron grumbled, setting down his tray.

They'd met two years ago, after Aiden graduated high school. Cameron had heard of the "infamous Anomaly" (Aaron) before meeting Aiden, a brilliant, fresh-faced hacker who knew how to push Aaron's buttons. Cameron liked him immediately. Aaron's "secret weapon" often lunched together, so Aiden's summons went unnoticed. Neither fit the corporate culture perfectly, but they did their jobs well.

"You look like you have news," Cameron observed.

Aiden's eyes sparkled. "I do! Remember the boss's good mood yesterday?"

"Yeah, frighteningly good. Why?" Cameron asked, taking a bite.

Leaning closer, Aiden gestured dramatically. "His woman spent the night at his place. She lives across the hall, and I saw her wearing his shirt from the shareholder's meeting!"

Cameron laughed incredulously. "Impossible. Aaron Hale doesn't experience human emotions; he's a money-making robot."

Aiden knew better. He'd seen Aaron's vulnerability for six years. "He's been in love with her since high school, but she's ignored him."

"I've worked for him since freshman year, and I've seen things. He's trying to take over the company to protect her from the CEO."

Cameron tapped his fork on his tray skeptically. "What kind of goddess inspires this devotion from the Ice King?"

He snorted, spraying pasta sauce. Aiden wiped it away. "She's completely normal. I don't know why he's obsessed."

"Proof."

Aiden showed Keeley's Facebook profile picture—a selfie with a graffiti wall. Her smile and eyes stood out, but she was otherwise average.