e

pened, slipping back into their previous routines as if nothing had changed. But Emma could feel it. Every glance, every interaction was now

ings difficult. She continued to focus on her work, diving into tasks to avoid confronting the growing knot of emotions inside her. But no matter how hard she t

gan, his voice strained, "I've been thinking a lot about what happened, and I want to apologize. The kiss-it was a mistake. I was out of line. I can't affo

logetic but resolute. "I just don't want things to be weird between us. We still have a job to do." The conversation ended there, but the awkwardness lingered