EVA'S POV "Great. Just what I needed. High school 2.0.""Well, at least you're handling it like a pro," I said, smiling.He shrugged, grinning. "It's all about confidence, right?"As we ate and discussed the project, I couldn't help but appreciate how easy it was to talk to him. Despite all the fuss everyone else made about him, to me, he was just Aaron—a friendly coworker who happened to be good-looking and charming. But that didn't mean I had to join the drooling crowd.When we finished lunch, Aaron gave me a friendly pat on the shoulder. "Thanks for the chat, Eva. Let's crush this project.""Absolutely," I agreed, feeling a genuine camaraderie between us.Returning to my desk, I noticed Jess giving me a knowing look. "So, how was lunch with Prince Charming?"I rolled my eyes good-naturedly. "It was productive. We talked about work, Jess."She waggled her eyebrows. "Uh-huh. Sure you did."I couldn't help but laugh. "Believe what you want, but we're just coworkers.""That's what the
EVA'S POV"Good morning, everyone," Tristin greeted, taking his seat at the head of the table. "Let's get started."As the meeting progressed, Aaron and I presented our updates, smoothly transitioning back and forth between points. We were in sync, and it showed. I could feel the energy in the room, especially from my female colleagues, who seemed to be watching Aaron more than paying attention to the presentation."Great job, Eva and Aaron," Tristin said, though his voice sounded a bit tighter than usual. "You've made impressive progress.""Thanks, Tristin," Aaron replied, beaming. "Eva's been an incredible partner on this."Sophie leaned over to Livia and whispered loudly enough for the whole room to hear, "Don't they make such a cute couple?"I felt my face heat up instantly, and I could sense Aaron glancing at me with a bemused expression. Meanwhile, Tristin's jaw tightened noticeably, and Livia's eyes narrowed."Uh, thanks, Sophie, but we're just coworkers," I said, trying to lau
TRISTIN'S POVWe had a big project meeting. As usual, Aaron and Eva were the center of attention. I couldn't help but notice the way they worked together, so effortlessly, so in sync. It was infuriating."Great job, Eva and Aaron," I said, trying to keep my tone professional. "You've made impressive progress.""Thanks, Tristin," Aaron replied, beaming. "Eva's been an incredible partner on this."Sophie, never missing a chance to stir the pot, leaned over to Livia and whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear, "Don't they make such a cute couple?"I felt my jaw tighten. "Uh, thanks, Sophie, but we're just coworkers," Eva said, trying to laugh it off."Oh, come on, Eva," Sophie continued, clearly enjoying herself. "You two are perfect together. Look at the chemistry!"Aaron chuckled, shaking his head. "We're just a good team, Sophie. Right, Eva?""Right," Eva agreed, nodding emphatically. "Just a good team.""Alright, let's focus on the project, shall we?" I said, trying to bring the
TRISTIN'S POV"Oh, come on," she teased, rolling her eyes. "You can't tell me you didn't notice the chemistry.""Sophie, please," I said, pinching the bridge of my nose. "I have a lot of work to do.""Alright, alright," she said, holding up her hands in mock surrender. "But you know, they'd make a cute couple."I didn't dignify that with a response, but as she walked away, I couldn't help but think about what she said. Aaron and Eva... a cute couple. The thought made my stomach churn.The next day, I was heading to the cafeteria for a quick coffee break. I spotted Eva and Aaron sitting together, chatting and laughing. I felt a pang of something unpleasant—jealousy, I realized. It was stupid, but there it was."Mind if I join you?" I said, trying to keep my tone light as I approached their table.Eva looked up, surprised. "Sure, Tristin. Have a seat."Aaron gave me a friendly nod. "Hey, Tristin. How's it going?""Good, thanks," I replied, forcing a smile as I sat down. "What are you tw
TRISTIN'S POV"Oh, come on," she teased, rolling her eyes. "You can't tell me you didn't notice the chemistry.""Sophie, please," I said, pinching the bridge of my nose. "I have a lot of work to do.""Alright, alright," she said, holding up her hands in mock surrender. "But you know, they'd make a cute couple."I didn't dignify that with a response, but as she walked away, I couldn't help but think about what she said. Aaron and Eva... a cute couple. The thought made my stomach churn.The next day, I was heading to the cafeteria for a quick coffee break. I spotted Eva and Aaron sitting together, chatting and laughing. I felt a pang of something unpleasant—jealousy, I realized. It was stupid, but there it was."Mind if I join you?" I said, trying to keep my tone light as I approached their table.Eva looked up, surprised. "Sure, Tristin. Have a seat."Aaron gave me a friendly nod. "Hey, Tristin. How's it going?""Good, thanks," I replied, forcing a smile as I sat down. "What are you tw
TRISTIN'S POV"Nothing ever is," she said, shrugging. "But seriously, Tristin, you're going to drive yourself crazy if you keep this up."As she walked away, I sighed, knowing she was right. But what was I supposed to do? Just blurt out my feelings to Eva? That seemed impossible.I was walking back to my office when I overheard some of my colleagues talking about Aaron."He's so charming," one of them said, sighing. "And those eyes...""I know," another replied. "I wish I could work with him."I rolled my eyes and kept walking. It seemed like everyone was under Aaron's spell. Everyone except me, of course. I was determined to stay focused on the project and not let my personal feelings get in the way. But it was getting harder and harder to do that with each passing day. I walked through the office, feeling increasingly on edge. It seemed like everywhere I turned, someone was talking about Aaron. I couldn't escape it. I decided to focus on something else and remembered Eva’s driving
TRISTIN'S POV“Tristin, I’m really sorry. Maybe we can reschedule?”I clenched my jaw, trying to keep my frustration in check. “Fine. Reschedule it, then,” I said, my voice clipped. “But don’t make a habit of canceling on me for him.”With that, I turned on my heel and walked away, my anger simmering. As I headed back to my office, I could hear Aaron’s voice, low and calm, trying to reassure Eva. It only made me angrier.Once I was back in my office, I slammed the door shut, leaning against it for a moment to collect myself. I needed to get a grip. This jealousy was getting out of hand, and it was starting to affect my work. I couldn’t let that happen. But the thought of Eva spending more time with Aaron, laughing and working closely with him, was driving me crazy.I sat at my desk, staring at my computer screen but not really seeing anything. I had to figure out a way to deal with this before it spiraled out of control. Maybe Sophie was right. Maybe it was time to finally tell Eva ho
TRISTIN'S POV"I'm not jealous," I insisted. "I'm just frustrated.""Sure, whatever helps you sleep at night," she said, rolling her eyes. "But seriously, if you keep this up, you're going to push her away for good."Her words stung because I knew there was truth in them. I needed to figure out how to handle this situation before it spiraled out of control. But for now, I was just angry and didn't know what to do about it.The rest of the day passed in a blur of meetings and paperwork. I couldn't shake the irritation I felt every time I thought about Eva and Aaron working together. When I finally headed home, I knew I needed to clear my head and figure out my next move.As I lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling, I realized Sophie was right. I was acting like a jealous boyfriend, and it was only making things worse. I needed to find a way to support Eva without letting my emotions get in the way. But it was easier said than done, especially when every instinct I had was scream