“I think I can handle that,” she said, her eyes softening. “But I still need to go.” She released his hand. “Taylor and London will be waiting for me. We have a standing date on Fridays. I don’t want to be late.”

Taylor and London?

He had no right to the bone-melting relief that rushed through him, but damn if it didn’t nearly bring him to his knees.

“See you back here on Monday? I’ll be at the coffee bar,” she said.

“Unless you want to meet sooner,” he countered before he could stop himself.

Fuck! Didn’t she just say she wanted to go slow?

“What did you have in mind?” she asked, her eyes narrowing slightly.

He lifted his shoulders. “I’d planned to come in tomorrow and do some work on the Leyland Group project.”

“I’m working on it this weekend too,” she said. “But I was going to work from home.” She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. “You can come by. Just to work,” she quickly added.

Breaking out into the MC Hammer dance would be the corniest thing ever. But, then again, she seemed to find his fascination with old-school-rap cute.

“I’ll bring lunch,” Daniel said instead.

“Deal,” she replied with a firm nod. “Oh, there’s an Asian fusion place up near the Triangle that makes the best Korean short ribs. I’ve been craving them for ages.”

“You’re joking, right?” Daniel said with a frown. “The only way we eat Korean is if I cook it.”

“You cook?”

Daniel nodded. “Just tell me when and where.”

“I’ll text you my address.” Her subtle grin left him breathless as he watched her walk away.

Once back at his desk, Daniel sat for a long moment, running all the different ways this could go wrong through his head. Getting even more involved with Samiah was the last thing he should be doing. He knew this.

But he’d be damned if he cared.

*  *  *

Samiah spotted Taylor sitting alone at their favorite high table and gave herself a mental high five for not being the last one to arrive for once. She would never be first. She’d learned that Taylor was one of those you’re on time if you’re five minutes early, you’re late if you’re on time kind of people. It had to be that military upbringing. That’s probably why Daniel always made it to the office before she did, even on the mornings when she did clock in on time.

The corners of her mouth drew up, and she realized just the thought of him brought a smile to her face.

Oh, God. She so hated herself right now. When had she become this girl?