Working with Gavin Reed could be trying at times. He almost always had something to say, whether it be complaining about his coworkers,  his job, or worse yet, the androids. Anyone who knew Gavin, knew better than to bring up androids in front of him. He had an extreme disliking towards them, but not only that, he could be a very cruel individual. While most did believe that the androids were simply that; machines built by humans to do their bidding. Others, like Tasha, couldn't help but think they had to be a form of intelligent event life.

But she never dared bring it up in front of Gavin.

Luckily, Gavin usually dialled down his cruelty when he was around her. Tasha wasn't quite sure why, but she appreciated that he would show a side of him to her that she assumed, and secretly hoped, he showed to no one else. Tasha hated admitting it to herself, but she loved how he would flirt with her. Even though she knew he was just kidding around, it didn't stop her heart from racing or yearning for him late in the night after spending the day working with him.

Gavin wasn't a man who you date. Gavin was the type of man who fucks you once and leaves you dry, at least that's what Tasha assumed from how he boasted about his sex life. Tasha usually tried to put up a badass front whenever he brought it up but deep down it really upset her knowing that he'd never care for her how she cared for him. She didn't want to. No, Tasha had tried for a very long time to get over him, but it wasn't just a simple high school crush — she was entirely smitten for the man and he couldn't even notice. 

Tasha sighed sadly as she closed the file in front of her. She didn't glance up when she felt Gavin lean against her desk.

"What's got you down, shorty?"

"Need I remind you that whilst I am a short woman, you are a short man?"

Gavin chuckled, "Even when you're upset you still have that fiery attitude. That's what I like about you, Price."

Tasha felt her heart flutter at his words, but she forced herself to roll her eyes. "I thought you liked my looks."

"Oh, I do, but you're not just a pretty face."

Tasha blushed, clearing her throat. "What do you want?"

"I just wanna cheer my partner up." Gavin left, and for a moment Tasha breathed out in relief, only to suck a breath back in as he rolled his chair into hers slightly, his leg brushing against hers.

"So, Price." Gavin leaned on his elbows as he looked at her. "What's up?"

"Do you ever grow up?" Tasha huffs as she tries moving her chair away only to have him wrap his leg around hers, keeping her chair tight against his. "Gavin, seriously—"

"I'll leave you alone if you just tell me."

Tasha sighed, "It's stupid ok?"

"Most of what you say is stupid." Gavin joked but seeing the look on her face he put his hands up in defeat. "Kidding! I'm kidding, Tash."

Tasha shook her head. "It's Valentine's Day tomorrow."

Gavin looked at her in confusion. "And?"

"And everyone has been so fucking affectionate today it's pissing me off. Everyone has someone except for me. It's fucking stupid."

Gavin smiled slightly. "I mean, I don't have a valentine either."

"Yeah, but you're you, Gav. You could fuck anyone you want. Me, I — well I'm not like you."

"No, you're better than me." Gavin said quietly. "Besides, who cares about Valentine's Day? It's just a stupid holiday couples use as an excuse to do lovey dovey shit in public."

Another sigh left Tasha's lips. "Yeah. See I told you, it's stupid."

"Nah, it's not stupid. You're a kid, it's not surprising you'd—"

"I am not a kid!" Tasha snapped, a little louder than she should have as multiple heads turned towards her. Tasha sighed, keeping her voice quieter, "I'm not a kid."

Tasha hated when Gavin called her a kid or treated her like a kid. He may have been much older than her, but she was always attracted to older guys so it wasn't much of a surprise when she found him attractive. He was nearly fifteen years older than her. She tried not thinking of it that way, since he rarely acted like a thirsty six year old should, but she still found herself frowning at the fact that he was so much older.

"What I meant is you're not even twenty five yet. You've got your whole life ahead of you for Valentine's Days and all that shit."

Gavin stood, walking over to his desk to grab his papers before sitting back down next to her. Tasha shivered slightly when she felt his leg brush against hers again, this time staying that way as Gavin got comfortable in his chair.

"What are you doing, Gavin?"

"What does it look like? I'm helping you get your paperwork done."

"Careful, people might think you actually care about me." Tasha teased, trying to hide the redness in her cheeks as she wished she could feel more of him against her.

Gavin smiled slightly, "Oh, no! What will I do now?"

Tasha rolled her eyes, shoving his side slightly with her arm, earning a shove back. Tasha covered her mouth with her hand as she tried to hide the laughter when Gavin's hand brushed against her side.

"You're ticklish, aren't you?" Gavin smirked at her, his grey eyes gazing at her.

Tasha shook her head, "N-no, I'm not — Gavin!" Tasha yelled in a whisper, grabbing onto his hand to stop him from tickling her. "You call me a kid but whose tickling who?"

Gavin smiled smugly as Tasha held his hand in hers for a moment longer than needed. He didn't complain though, had she not let go he would've continued until she did so.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm a kid at heart, sue me."

••

Gavin hated how happy Tasha made him feel. She was so young and full of life, and while she felt like she was doomed to be alone forever, he wanted to assure her that she could be with anyone she wanted. She was beautiful, smart, funny... she was everything anyone could want, and then some. But the idea of her dating someone angered him. At first Gavin chalked it up to caring for his work partner, but after a while he couldn't deny what the truth was. Gavin wanted to be with her. Every night he'd think of her. He'd try not to, but everything reminded him of her.

•••

Tasha sighed as she sat down at her desk, trying to ignore the happy giggles of some of the women throughout the office. Tasha's eyes widened when she noticed a small envelope was sat on her desk, her name written on it. She opened it slowly, wondering who it was from.

You're beautiful, smart, funny and kind. Anyone would be crazy not to want you as their Valentine.

At first, Tasha wasn't sure what to think about the letter. Gavin was the only person she told about being bummed for Valentine's Day but he wouldn't go out of his way to write her a little letter... would he?

Tasha stood from her desk as she tucked the letter into her pocket, heading over to the break room where she saw Gavin sitting with his coffee —

No, not coffee. The smell is far too heavenly to be coffee. As Tasha drew nearer the smell only became more delightful. Hot chocolate? That's odd...

Gavin smiled brightly at her, the type of smile that never failed to make her blush and avert her gaze. "You're here early." She said nonchalantly.

"Don't sounds so surprised." Gavin held out another cup of hot chocolate to her, making her smile.

"You didn't have to, Gav." Tasha took a sip of the hot drink. "But thank you."

"I wanted to." He replied as he took in her appearance. For once she had her hair tied up, and she didn't look nearly as tired as she had the day before. She was wearing her blue uniform, but instead of the uniform pants she was wearing skinny jeans. When she usually wore a frown, instead she had a bright smile on her face.

"When I got to work I found a letter on my desk." Tasha said after a while, not looking at him.

Gavin was silent for a moment. "Did you?"

"Yeah, apparently I have a valentine." She smirked as she glanced over at him, noticing that he was staring at his hot chocolate. "You wouldn't happen to know who put this one my desk, would you?"

"No idea." Gavin lied, not trying to hide it very much.

Tasha leaned against him, sighing dramatically when she sat her empty cup down. "That's too bad. I would've loved to thank whoever it was."

Gavin wet his bottom lip, trying to ignore her body pressing against his. Instead he took another sip of his hot chocolate, not daring to glance over at her. He knew he shouldn't let her be that close, but he wasn't going to stop her. Instead he let her take his hot chocolate cup from his hand, her fingers grazing his for a moment longer than needed. Gavin refused to look at her, knowing that if he did he'd do something stupid.

Tasha took a sip of his hot chocolate, smiling smugly when she handed it back to him.

"Drink much?" Gavin smirked when he saw the hot chocolate dripping down her face.

"Shut up!" Tasha went to wipe her face but Gavin pressed his thumb against her chin, wiping the stray drink off her face before standing up, tossing both cups into the recycling.

"C'mon, Price. We have an interrogation to do."

•••

A/N: Eyyyyy! I'm just gonna be updating this whenever I get the chapters done. No set days or times so hollaaa lol thanks for reading! Your comments help me keep at it