**Secret Meetings**
After his divorce, Oliver was adriftor so he told his colleagues and friends. Eight years of marriage had ended bitterly, though he hadnt wanted it that way. His wifes temper had been unbearable. At least thered been no children; shed refused to have them.
At thirty-six, Oliver was in his primebroad-shouldered, fit, with rugged good looks and a piercing gaze. Hed had flings with women, even younger ones, but remarrying was the last thing on his mind. He avoided office romances, dismissing them as cliché, and most of his female colleagues were married anyway.
*»Ive got more sense than to get tangled up in that mess,»* hed say over pints with his mates at the pub.
*»Famous last words,»* theyd laugh. *»You know how it goeslove sneaks up on you when you least expect it.»*
But Oliver was overconfident. Fate had other plans. Hed never forget the summer day she walked into the office. The night before, his friend Ethan had mentioned it: *»New hire starting tomorrow. Maxs wife, from the Leeds branch.»*
Oliver vaguely knew Maxa dull, unremarkable man. *»Bet shes just as bland,»* hed thought, dismissing the news.
Then he saw her. **Sophie**. The moment their eyes met, his breath caught. She was stunning. And as days passed, he realised she was sharp as a tack too. Within a week, he was counting the minutes until she arrived each morning, lying awake at night thinking of her.
*»Shes perfect,»* he told himself. *»If shes right for me, Im right for her. All I need is a chance. The fact shes married? Even betterno one will suspect a thing.»*
Another week passed. Sophies glances grew warmer. They worked side by side, joking and laughing, but Oliver bristled whenever she mentioned Max.
*»Why does she talk about him so much? Either shes not interested, or she actually loves that bore. God, I hope notbut then why marry him?»*
Still, he hesitated to flirt openly. Yet their shared project forced them together, heads bent over documents, fingers brushing. One afternoon, Ethan was out. The office was quiet. Her breath warmed his cheekand before he could stop himself, he kissed her.
Sophie pulled back, fingers pressed to her lips. *»Oliver dont do that again.»*
But she didnt leave. Didnt slap him. A good sign.
*»Sorry,»* he said, grinning. *»Couldnt help myself.»*
She resumed work as if nothing happened. He exhaled, joining her. Days passed without mention of it. They were never truly alonesomeone was always nearby. Then, on Friday, as they packed up, Oliver risked it:
*»Can I call you this weekend?»*
*»No,»* she said sharplythen softened. *»Ill call you.»*
*»When?»*
*»When I can.»*
Saturday crawled by. His phone stayed silent. Sunday morning, still nothing.
*»She couldve found a moment,»* he fumed. That evening, he cracked and dialled.
*»Dont call me,»* she whispered. *»Ill ring you.»*
Monday dawned with a shockhis phone rang at dawn. Sophies voice was urgent.
*»Oliver, are you busy? Can I come over?»*
He shot upright. *»Alone? Youve got the car? Yes. Let me give you the address.»*
He leapt from bed, showered, brewed coffeebut before he could drink it, the doorbell chimed. One look at her face told him everything. The door slammed shut. His hands were on her, mouth claiming hers. She gasped against his lips.
*»Good morning.»*
He didnt answer. Words were useless now.
Later, over coffee in his kitchen, she murmured, *»Max leaves for work earlier than me.»* Olivers jaw tightened. *»Why bring him up now?»*
Her eyes flickered around the room. *»This is cosy and the coffees lovely.»*
They arrived at work separately, just on time. Oliver braced for scrutinybut no one noticed. Only Ethan raised a brow.
*»Running late today, mate. Youre usually here before me.»*
*»Yeah, well.»* He shrugged.
Lunch was stolen moments at a café table before Ethan joined, chattering about his wifes cooking. Oliver gritted his teeth.
The weeks blurred into a rhythm: stolen mornings, hurried kisses, the rare Saturdays when Max visited his parents cottage in the Cotswolds.
*»Stay with me forever,»* Oliver begged one such Saturday, tangled in bedsheets.
Sophie laughed sadly. *»I cant.»*
*»Why not?»*
*»Because its impossible.»*
He swallowed his frustration. *»She needs time. Be grateful shes here at all.»* But doubt gnawed at him. *»What if Max suspects? What then?»*
*»Sophie,»* he pressed, *»where is this going?»*
*»Nowhere. This is all we get.»*
*»Its not enough. Marry me.»*
*»No.»*
*»Then I cant do this anymore.»*
She left without a fight.
Months later, Oliver dated againa free woman, uncomplicated. But she wasnt Sophie. Hed loved Sophie in a way that came once in a lifetime.
In the end, he chose peace over passion. It was easier that way.
