Chapter 15: A Line Blurred

Emma wasn't sure how it happened.

One moment, she was eating the dinner Alex had insisted on bringing, the silence between them thick but oddly comfortable.

The next, she was painfully aware of every glance he stole, every shift in his posture, every single second that passed between them.

It was unsettling.

Because this wasn't her.

She didn't do this—sit across from a man like him and let herself feel something she wasn't supposed to.

And yet, there she was.

Letting it happen.

—

Alex was the first to break the silence.

"You're thinking too much."

Emma's chopsticks paused mid-air. She glanced up, her expression unreadable. "And you're assuming too much."

Alex smirked, leaning back in his chair. "Am I wrong?"

Emma exhaled sharply, placing the chopsticks down. "You enjoy this, don't you?"

"What?"

"Getting under people's skin."

Alex chuckled, his gaze locked on hers. "Only when they try so hard to keep me out."

Emma tensed.

Because the worst part?

He wasn't wrong.

—

The clock on her desk read 10:27 PM when she finally leaned back, rubbing her temples.

She had lost track of time.

That never happened.

Alex stood, stretching slightly before slipping his hands into his pockets. "I should go."

Emma didn't respond, watching as he made his way toward the door.

But just before he reached it, he hesitated.

Then, without turning around, he asked, "Why do you always act like wanting something is a weakness?"

Emma's breath caught.

Her fingers curled into fists.

He didn't wait for an answer.

The door clicked shut behind him, leaving her with nothing but the echo of his words.

And the worst part?

She didn't have an answer.

Because maybe…

Maybe she was afraid of wanting something she couldn't control.