with Liam. The morning sun streamed through the windows, casting long shadows across her desk as she booted

ell across

e here

p, slightly mocking voice was already burned into her me

e beside her keyboard-black, no

d at it. "Wh

her desk. "We're stuck with each other on this

rst sip was perfect-rich, slightly bitter, just hot en

"Wouldn't d

aign messaging while Liam mocked up visuals, occasionally sliding his tablet

isaster

e, twice, then went black. "No. No."

ced over.

rough gritted teeth. "And I didn't sa

caught the faint scent of his cologne-something woodsy and

id. No

from his desk and set it in front of he

ou're just... givin

Unless you'd rather twiddle your t

laptop toward

ly organized-not a single stray file out of place. She clicked into the Morri

ooked. But curiosity

lutions for a Changing World"-and rendered it in sleek, bold typography over a dynamic c

you were l

d behind her, arms cros

her cheeks.

I noticed." He didn't sound angr

pride. "This desi

ession-surprise, maybe, at the d

is is exactly what

then pulled up a chair. "Show me wh

l respect. Emma explained her vision for the campaign's voice; Liam suggested small tweaks t

he emai

reen: "Morrison moved the deadline. The

"You've got to

standing. "We'll n

w la

r a look. "

ds were Emma's typing and the occasional frustrated

, her back cracking aud

e's a pot in the break room

found him rubbing his eyes, his usually perfect

le," she said, ha

get you nowhere." But he t

before Emma caught Liam stifling a yawn. "You should go

ead. "It needs

fect. Or cl

n eyes tired but intense. "You don't

But I also know when to admit

y shutting his laptop. "Fine. But we're

eal

Emma noticed Liam wa

You're... not wh

e force than necessary. "Wha

pegged you as just ano

d you as an arrogant jerk.

l, genuine laugh that transformed hi

the space between them feel strangely intimate. When the doors op

beside her as the elevator descended. The silence

s they reached the lobby

d. "Damn ri

t, she realized something unsettling:

the most dangerous