HA

e a simple nod anyway. "I'm excite

resent. I can't remember a single line from the sp

stuck on So

. Her legs. The way s

it. I know that. But it's stil

proving myself. And she managed to shake me in a way no boardroo

d, but as you all know, this gray hair didn't com

aks into lig

one l

ept

y composed. Her face is slightly red now. Not fully embarrassed, but enough to notice. H

nore her. I

s. Pressure in my pants that I don't

quisitions is going to bring new energy here. Sophie, I'm reassigning yo

ps slightly

me this. Not ev

look a

I

. It lasts a second too long.

. Maybe discomfort. Maybe she would t

he do

alm. Straight. Like no

akes i

a few more minutes. The mee

ng. Chairs shift.

greet directors, managers,

tion keeps d

, I turn towar

ted. Still holding her padfolio

ser and of

ed to

It's subtle, but I see it. She glar

soft. Not hesitant. St

he says. Fla

it longer than I should. I tell myse

relea

it. Sophie is not only our youngest director ever, she's

in his voice

nge

ord s

oung

top myself. Wrong question for this setting.

say, forcing my att

eplies. No change

arrison

besi

hits me im

her. Clean. Close. It's worse than

op myself, then force a

"I'm excited about this. Both of you

d a way out of this situatio

can, Soph

middle of sixteen projects. I don't think I can take on

ate. He smiles wider,

been reassigned. Those were small compared to thi

her thinking it throug

ving things unfin

on't worry about it. That's hand

ntrolled. Like she's tryin

If you think it's

me time. Get to know each other

and leaves

oor c

ce se

just

letting my posture relax

y, like she's been waitin

able. Small, steady sound

ldn't say wha

do a

show up on time and d

mmediately. A flash of

one. She re

hen resets her posture. Ca

f I was okay," she says. Her voice is steady, but sharp at th

n to look, but I do. Her blouse, her shape, the

stay even. "Good t

aw ti

steps forward and stops right between my legs, clo

ting is over. Is

s at my mouth bef

w when I need you. And clean

st, like I crossed a lin

sharply an

shuts b

where

feels too

lowly, trying to get control of myself again. T

n't ful

ates

art is

's how it

esn't fix

ll wa

e, steady and unwanted, li