The dark side of love

A Spark o

other, like the way Emily's eyes sparkled when she laughed or the way Ryan's hair curled slightly at the nape of his neck. T

ol night air and the quiet parking garage created an intimate atmosphere. They strolled sid

Ryan asked, "Hey, Emily,

up?" she rep

th me sometime, outside of work?" Ryan's eyes lo

mix work and personal life. But there was something about

nally, her voice ba

each other's digits, their fingers touched, and a jolt of electricity ran through bo

lationship was forbidden. They were competitors, after all, and the promotion was

her phone, hoping for a text from Ryan. And

to grab that cof

dy for their date, Emily felt a mix of excitement and nerves. This was more t

even more handsome in the soft light, his eyes crinkling at the corners

ir families, their dreams, and their fears. Emily opened up about her struggles as a woman in a

was more than just a charming colleague. He was kind, empathe

y's doubts resurfaced. What if their relationship affected th

ns and took her hand, his touch

id, his eyes locking onto hers. "We can handle the competition and

be, just maybe, they could navigate this complex

about to change in ways she never imagined. The ri

nt but now tempered with a newfound respect and admiration for each other. They stole glances at each ot

tween them grew. They both knew that only one of them c

ark called them into his office. Emily's heart

impressed," Mark said, a hint of a smile on his face. "You've both show

she glanced at Ryan, who

e you both a final t