“It wasn’t a total waste.” He tugged a sheaf of papers out of his bag. “Willie’s financials.”

“Excellent! We’ve been having the worst time with the Dominican bank. Appreciate the assist with this and the team and the trip.”

“Mind if I stick around to see it through? I’m invested.”

A few weeks ago, the question would’ve rankled and annoyed. Now she understood that at some point he’d become a trusted—and often useful—colleague. “Sure. Since you were able to procure the financials, you can see that through. That’d help.”

“Sure, happy to.”

They walked toward the main door together. “Are you going to call Shelby?” Sam asked.

He eyed her warily. “Where’d that come from?”

“Just wondering—and so is she.”

“Funny, I wouldn’t take you for a girlfriendy kind of gal.”

“I have girlfriends,” Sam said, indignant that he thought he knew her so well.

He raised an eyebrow rife with skepticism. “Any who don’t work here?”

“My sisters, and I suppose Shelby counts, not that it’s any of your business.”

He stopped short, and Sam had no choice but to stop too or run into him.

“You’re right. It isn’t my business. But here’s the situation, Sam... You know I think a lot of you.”

Since he’d all but confessed to being in love with her, Sam just nodded, afraid to do or say anything else and desperately afraid of where this might be leading.

“I’d like it if we could be friends. And if not friends, at least cordial colleagues who occasionally work well together.”

He was offering her a way out of the uncomfortable tension that had surrounded them since she’d tuned into his crush on her, and Sam appreciated the overture. If he was going to be sticking around the District, their paths were bound to cross again, and there was no reason for their relationship to be antagonistic when their goals were often the same.

“That would be good. There’s one thing you should know, though.”

“What’s that?”

How to say this diplomatically? “You have to be careful around Nick. He’s... He’s possessive of what’s his, and he’s in a position to make your life difficult if he chooses to.”

Hill’s lips got very tight with displeasure. “Has he made threats?”

“Of course not. But don’t give him a reason to butt into your life. He’s a perfectly rational guy. Most of the time.”

“I stand warned.” He started to stalk off, and Sam ran after him.

“Hill, wait.” She grabbed his arm to halt his progress. “Hold on a second. I didn’t say that to piss you off. I swear.”

He glanced down at his arm and then at her. “Why did you say it?”