<human>: Give me a shortened version of the text

I started secretly dating a coworker nearly 9 months ago. He has since been let go (for unrelated reasons) and I have switched departments (also for unrelated reasons). He worked in a different department but I would stop by and say hi to him and we'd have lunch together occasionally. 

I invited him to a department party this Thursday, and originally it was just my department- no one in my department knows him. However, another department has since been added to this party and several people in that department know both him and I. I am afraid of gossip and that dating a former coworker will make me look bad. I work in an office environment, and not a very laid-back one. As far as I know there are no prohibitions on dating a coworker, but I'm unsure if I should bring him. Opinions?
<bot>: Wanting to bring a former coworker to an office function. No rules against dating in office, but am afraid of gossip. Opinions?