"I'm professional." I turned to leave. "Unlike some people."
"Wait." He caught my wrist as I passed. Gently, not demanding. "Seriously. She didn't give you a hard time?"
I looked down at his hand on my wrist, then up at his face. His expression was genuine, concerned. Not teasing anymore.
"She was wonderful," I said. "Really. You don't have to worry."
"I always worry." He released my wrist slowly, his fingers trailing across my skin. "You bring out the worrier in me."
"I didn't know you were a worrier."
"Neither did I." He smiled, something soft in his eyes. "Stay out of my business, Mr. Dubois."
I walked back to my desk, hyperaware of his gaze following me.
The morning passed in a blur of work punctuated by moments of... whatever this was. Xavier found excuses to stop by my desk. I found excuses to enter his office. Jokes and banter and looks that lasted a beat too long.
Around two o'clock, I brought him another file. He stood as I entered, meeting me in the middle of the office.
"You know," he said, "you never did tell me what you see in me."
"We're not doing this again."
"Just one hint." He stepped closer. Too close. I could smell his cologne now, something warm and woodsy. "One tiny hint."
"No."
"Please?" He was smiling, but there was something else beneath it. Something hungry.
"Xavier..."
His eyes dropped to my lips.
My breath caught. The air between us went thick and heavy. He was going to kiss me. Right here, in his office, in the middle of the workday. And I was going to let him.
My phone rang.
We both jumped. I fumbled for my phone, my heart hammering.
The caller ID showed Zoe's school.
"Hello?" My voice came out breathless.
"Ms. Young? This is the nurse at Greenwood Elementary. Zoe isn't feeling well. She has a fever, and we'd like you to come pick her up."
The haze cleared instantly. "I'll be right there."
I hung up and looked at Xavier. "I have to go. Zoe's sick."
"I'll drive you."
"You don't have to?—"
"Kim." His voice was firm. "I'm driving you."
We were in his car within five minutes, weaving through traffic toward Zoe's school. I tried to stay calm, but my mind was racing. Fever. How high? What if it was serious? What if?—
Xavier's hand covered mine on the center console. "She's going to be fine."
