x's

window where Damien could see me from across the street. He'd texted me twice

unch rush over. I ordered a black cof

someone sat dow

a

ted, but she h

owing me a photo. Damien and me, leaving his building together last ni

ve you been

unreadable. "You're my best friend, Alex. I know when something's wrong. And whe

ed someone

phone. "And imagine my surprise when I d

h dropped

t sharp. "Do you have any idea what this

t what y

s like you're fucking th

"That's not-we didn't-it started

owned.

ersations, the connection we'd built without knowing who

as staring at me like

ridiculous thing

kno

pect me to

you believe it.

moment, studying my fac

es

e like

ys he

an eyebrow. "You

loyee. Now suddenly I'm leading the biggest campaign of my career

ghtly. "Has he given you any r

ked at me, touched me, protected me. The vulne

ed. "But that

cond-guessing yourself." She picked up her phone.

kno

ationship policies. "HR updated the entire policy last month. Relationships between employees at different levels require discl

too distracted, too caught up in

do w

r fingers. "Second, you either disclose the relationship officially or end it. Third, you ge

campaign before w

dy talking, Alex. They noticed the way he looks at you in meetings. The way yo

n, from across the str

aya. We're fine. Give

Maya said. "We need to

ou're not going

t could destroy both your careers?" She smiled grimly. "No, Alex. I'm goi

te, sliding into the seat next to me. Up close, I cou

carefully. "Th

erything. And now we're going to discuss how you two

d at me. "Yo

new. She's bee

rkened. "You've b

"Here's what's going to happen. Alex is going to request a transfer to a different project, citing professional growth. Damien is going to approve

de of work

smart about it. Different cars. Different entrances. Separate arri

this quiet?"

forum, anonymous posts speculating about his love life. "People are already wondering why you've been in

How many peopl

have maybe a week before this becomes a real problem. So you either make it of

der the table, hidden from

, accept whatever reassignments or consequences come with it. Because I promise you,

Damien. "S

rcles on my palm. "Monday mor

ow you two managed to match on a dating app without knowin

I laughed. "You re

eall

almost felt normal. Like we were just three people figuring out a com

, carefully, I couldn't shake the fe