N'S

ad. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the scent of someone's reheated lunch, creating the comforting atmosph

il my Friday deadline, and the operational analysis was revealing fascinating insights about their manufacturing capabilities and supply chain efficiency.

cteristic easy stride. His tie was loosened and his sleeves were rolled up-clear signs that he'd b

Jake assembled his own caffeinated fuel for the aftern

he relaxed posture of someone taking a well-deserved break. "But

s expression had shifted from casual friendliness to the kind of concer

nuinely curious about what could h

king to ensure we wouldn't be overheard, then moved closer a

immediately put me on

office." Jake paused, choosing his words carefully. "But I've noticed that she's been paying you

nsider how to respond. "Laura and I work well tog

ay morning. Not just any muffin-your favorite kind, which she somehow remembered from a casual conversation weeks

I knew he was right and partly because acknowledging Laura's romantic int

ugh even as the words left my mouth

ke a Christmas tree every time you walk into a room. She's not

herself appeared, as if summoned by our conversation. She was carrying her

ough her attention focused primarily on me.

I replied, acutely aware of Jake's know

loser to where I stood by the coffee machine. "You've been so fo

f touched by her genuine care for my well-being, even as I f

sking. Miss Sterling seems please

's expression-a barely perceptible tightening around her eyes that s

ra said carefully. "I've noticed she's been g

ndercurrents in our conversation. "Well, I should probably get back to those quarterly

ained by the coffee machine, her tea cup cradled in both hands as she reg

me immediately attentive, "I hope you don't mind me asking, but is every

f guard. "Distant? I don'

n thinking about for some time. "It's more like you're present physically but your mind is always s

h Victoria? Had my colleagues noticed the way my attention shifted whenever she enter

oping the explanation would satisfy her curiosity withou

ad the uncomfortable feeling that she was seeing t

rson who assigned it to

nt a jolt of alarm through my sys

I've seen how people behave when they develop feelings for their supervisors. The extra hours, th

I was certain she could hear it. "L

to maintain eye contact. "Because from where I'm sitting, it looks like you're falling for someone

essional pretenses and identified the exact nature of my emotional dilemma, whil

entirely sure how to r

nything. I just wanted you to know that I see what's happening, and I'm concerned about y

r was accurate, and her warning about the dangers of workplace roman

. And your concern. You're a wonderf

eading the unspoken qu

ve made a choice that my

rks out the way you want it to, Ryan. I really do. But please be careful

ruths she'd forced me to confront. Laura had seen through my professional facade and identified my feelings for Victori

on that our professional relationship contained hints of something deeper and more personal. Laura's warning

ere worth taking regardless