And even as he told himself they were just two coworkers grabbing a bite to eat, he knew what he wanted it to be. He wanted this to be a date.

After arriving at the restaurant, Daniel asked Samiah what she wanted from the menu, then went up to the counter and ordered two salmon and avocado poke bowls. He brought the bowls to the table Samiah had chosen and took the seat across from her. As he added an extra dash of soy sauce to his bowl, he asked, “How long have you been at Trendsetters?”

He already knew this, of course, but they’d never discussed it.

“I had my three-year anniversary this past August.”

“Only three years? And you’re already a team leader?”

His reaction wasn’t totally feigned. He’d been genuinely bowled over when he’d read it on her dossier. The speed at which she’d risen among the ranks was impressive.

“Wait.” Samiah’s brow furrowed with confusion. “Didn’t they tell you? I’m a total badass when it comes to that company. I rule that shit.”

Daniel wiped his lips to hide his smile, then sat back and crossed his arms over his chest. “Is that so? Does this mean you can demand anything you want and the powers that be at Trendsetters will provide it?”

“Damn right. Except, of course, if it’s a back rub that my team didn’t earn.”

“Hmm…” He concealed his laugh with a cough. Straightening in his chair, he said, “That seems only fair. And because I did earn that back rub, I guess that means I’m actually the one who rules that shit, right?”

“No sir,” she said, her musical laugh wrapping itself around him. “You’ve got a few more years to put in before you even get close to ruling anything.”

Except he would only be here a few more weeks. A few more days if he was able to catch a lucky break with this case. Daniel sobered. Lucky no longer seemed like the appropriate word, not when it meant he’d never get the chance to explore what could become of the attraction that pulsed like a heartbeat between himself and Samiah.

This lunch date—whether she considered it a date or not—was likely the only one they would ever have. And if this was the extent of the personal time they would get to spend with each other, he wouldn’t waste any more of it thinking about how little time he had left with her.

“I’ve been meaning to thank you,” Samiah said after swallowing a bite of fish.

He sucked soy sauce off his thumb. “For what?”

“For being such a decent guy when it came to that stupid video. I appreciate that.”

“That was a hard thing for you to go through. Seems rude to continue to harp on it.”

“Tell that to your coworkers.”