Obligations can be awkward.

After Amat left, he checked Madeline's calendar on his computer; she was free for half an hour, so he decided he should confess his earlier blush.

He knocked politely on the partner’s door, “Steven,” she said, “I trust whatever made you blush isn’t going to be too much of a problem?”

He closed the door, feeling like a child in the principles office. “Well, I don’t think it is, but I should tell you.” She gestured to a leather chair at the side of the room and stood up to join him on its partnered chair.

“Jan and I recently started seeing someone,” he said quickly.

Madeline couldn’t keep her eyes from widening, “I’m sorry?”

Steve took a deep breath, “Jan and I are dating a centaur woman who lives next to us, Kaya, She is lovely, but considering the subject of the new work, I thought you should know.”

“Well,” Madeline said after a moment. “I don’t think you needed to, but I appreciate your candour.”

“There’s more,” he said. Madeline turned to face him a little more. “The Mythfolk version of a housewarming is very different to a human approach.”

Madeline suddenly laughed, “Are you telling me that you fucked our client before you knew she was our client?” she asked. Steve blushed again and wondered if he would ever stop blushing. “Well, I have to say I’m surprised. I didn’t think you or Jan would be into, well, sharing and dating other people. And I will add congratulations. I mean, it is inappropriate to say, but there was obvious tension between you and Lin, and if I were interested in women, she would certainly be to my tastes.”

Steve blinked several times, “You are okay with all this?”

“We are in changing times, Steven,” she explained. “What was once taboo is more commonplace, and part of the work we are doing is to fight for those changes, so I would be hypocritical if I didn’t accept.” She paused again, and Steve felt his heart rise in his throat. “So, your new girlfriend, Kaya, it was?” He nodded, “We have the July company party in two weeks. Will you be bringing her?”

Steve’s mouth went dry; he hadn’t thought of that. “Well, I will have to ask her, but maybe.”

She nodded, “It will be interesting this year; I mean, we have made adjustments and warnings for the humans in our company that traditional attire is allowed at the party, and as I understand it, centaurs rarely wear anything.”

“Well, if Kaya attends, she will wear jewellery, a Mythfolk thing,” he shrugged it off. “Wait,” he added, “How did HR sign off on that? I mean, Keron?” he said.

Madeline laughed, “Well, yes, that was an awkward conversation as Satyr’s also don’t wear very much.

“We live in strange times,” he said.

Madeline laughed, “That we do. But all is alright. I have no problem with you having multiple partners and your previous, or ongoing, involvement with Lin.”

“Thank you, Madeline, and can I ask you and Bill?” he asked as politely as he could.

She shook her head, “He has filed for a formal separation, and I’m not going to contest it,” she paused before quickly following up. “And yes, Keron has agreed to move to another division, and we are still seeing each other.”

“As always, Madeline, if you need or want to talk, I’m here.”

“Your friendship and professional nature have always been appreciated,” she said by way of ending the conversation.

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