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Red chuckled. “Well, you did promise Pop-Tarts, so I guess I can’t complain.”
Viv’s face lit up with mock indignation. “Hey, at least I’m staying true to my word!”
She pulled a box of cinnamon sugar Pop-Tarts from the cupboard, causing Red’s face to fall slightly. He had been secretly hoping for his favorite, strawberry.
“Ah, cinnamon sugar,” Red teased, trying to hide his disappointment. “I was hoping for strawberry, you know. At least there would have been some semblance of fruit.”
Viv laughed and playfully nudged him. “Oh, don’t pretend you’re a health nut. I’d never believe that after the lava cake. Besides, you’re getting a delicious breakfast pastry. How bad can it be?”
Red grinned and decided not to press the issue further. He admired her for admitting her culinary shortcomings and appreciated her effort to provide breakfast.
As they waited for the Pop-Tarts to toast, Red couldn’t help but tease Viv more. “Well, I guess I’ll just have to cherish these cinnamon sugar Pop-Tarts, knowing they were made with love.”
Viv rolled her eyes, but her smile betrayed her amusement. “Don’t push your luck, mister.”
They shared a quiet breakfast. Their conversation was stilted and cautious, as though they were tiptoeing around the unspoken emotions that hung heavy between them. Viv, eager to break the silence, suddenly piped up. “I put cream in your coffee; that’s dairy, and a food group, you know.”
Red raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. “Wow, Viv, really going all out with the balanced meal here. Pop-Tarts, coffee with cream... What’s next? A side of spinach?”
She smirked. “Oh, don’t tempt me. I might serve you a kale smoothie for lunch.”
Red shuddered playfully. “You wouldn’t dare.”
Viv leaned in closer, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Try me.”
“Probably a baseless threat, given your lack of kitchen skills. Do you even know how to make a smoothie?”
“Fine, you got me.”
The lighthearted banter helped ease the tension, allowing them to enjoy breakfast. As they laughed and teased each other, it was almost as if the weight of their unspoken feelings had temporarily lifted, and they could be nothing more than two friends sharing a meal.
Red took a sip of his coffee, savoring the rich taste of the cream. He always drank his black. “I must admit, the cream does make a difference. I might just have to make it a regular thing.”
Viv grinned, pleased with herself. “See? I told you. I may not be a culinary genius, but I know something about coffee.”
They continued to chat and laugh, enjoying the fleeting moments of normalcy amidst the whirlwind of emotions they were both experiencing. And even though they knew they couldn’t avoid their feelings forever, for now, they were content simply to enjoy each other’s company.
Red wondered how they could navigate their growing feelings while respecting their professional relationship. Their situation was unusual, and he knew they would have to tread carefully if they wanted to protect their hearts and careers.
As they finished their breakfast and cleared away the dishes, Red couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that something needed to be said. The silence between them was becoming unbearable, and he knew they couldn’t continue ignoring the elephant in the room.
“Viv,” he began, his voice cracking with the weight of his emotions. “About last night…”
Viv looked up at him, her eyes filled with longing and apprehension. “Yes?”
Red took a deep breath, gathering his courage. “I don’t regret what happened. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I felt so … connected to someone. But I know our professional relationship complicates things.”
Viv sighed, her eyes filled with a mixture of vulnerability and determination. “You know, my feelings for you are making me break all my rules. I have a rule that says never get involved with a client.” She paused momentarily, then continued, “I’ve never been in a situation like this before, and I don’t want to jeopardize my reputation or our safety. But I can’t deny that I feel something for you, something that goes beyond the boundaries of our relationship with you as my client. You hired me to protect you. That’s really my priority and I don’t want to do anything that would jeopardize that.”
Red sighed in relief, grateful that Viv was willing to address their feelings head-on. “So, what do we do? How can we explore this connection without compromising our work?”
Viv bit her lip, clearly deep in thought. “Maybe we can set some boundaries. We can agree to keep our personal feelings separate from my professional duties for now.”
Red felt a surge of hope as he considered Viv’s proposal. It was a sensible approach that would allow them to cautiously explore their feelings while still maintaining the integrity of their professional relationship. “I think that’s a great idea,” he agreed. “Let’s promise to be honest with each other and communicate openly about our feelings and any concerns we might have.”
However, as the reality of their situation sank in, his hope began to wane. The truth was that they were constantly working together, and it seemed impossible to separate their personal and professional lives. They never had time outside her work to be just the two of them, and he couldn’t help but feel disappointed.
“Viv,” Red said hesitantly, “I’m not sure we can separate things like that. We’re always together, and there’s never really a moment when we’re not involved in our professional roles. How do we navigate this without blurring the lines too much?”
