For the first time, I realize we could kiss if we wanted to. He’d have to shuffle forward one step. I’d have to stand on my tiptoes. And then it could happen, our lips fusing together like our previous battles, a fight of wit and skill.

A feather-light puff of air caresses my cheek and I rear back, startled, plummeting to reality. I put my hand on his chest and push, trying to get away.

Henry, to his credit, doesn’t crack a joke. Doesn’t smirk. Doesn’t laugh. His gleefulness disappears as he stares at me, eyebrows pinching together.

A coldness washes over me. The contact between us snaps in half, leaving me rattled and displaced.

And empty.

As if a part of me is missing, and I’m no longer whole.

“I know you’ll put up a valiant fight, Emma. You always do.”

Before I can retaliate or process if what he said was sarcastic or sincere, Henry disappears, leaving me alone outside my office, watching him walk away for longer than I care to admit.

* * *

“Okay, what the hell is going on? You’re drinking a martini with a stupid ass grin on your face. You never agree to dinner reservations before 7 because work always comes first. Did you get laid?” My best friend, Nicole, asks later that evening. She’s sitting across from me, anxiously awaiting my news.

We’ve known each other for decades, growing up next to each other, and our friendship continued into adulthood. She’s always the first to know anything that happens in my life, so when I cryptically texted her earlier in the day after the meeting in Wallace’s office and asked if she was free for to meet up, I had to ignore seven missed calls and a barrage of messages demanding I tell her what was going on.

I laugh, shaking my head. “I freaking wish. No. This is more important. Wallace pulled me into his office today and told me I’m being considered for partner,” I squeal.

“What? Holy shit, Emma! That’s amazing! Congratulations,” she exclaims, reaching across the table to squeeze my hand.

“Thank you! There’s a caveat, though.”

“Please don’t tell me that dickbag asked you to sleep with him.”

“Ew, stop it, no! That is not a picture I need in my head. Henry is the other person being considered.”

Nicole flops back in the booth, frowning. “Of course he is. Instead of giving the position to the overqualified, lone woman in the office, he has to make you compete against another douchebag who doesn’t deserve the spot.”

“I know. It’s frustrating as hell, but this is the opportunity of a lifetime and not a competition.”

“With you and Henry, it’s always a competition.”

“That’s not true!”