**Secret Meetings**
After his divorce, Oliver was on the lookoutor so he told his colleagues and mates. Eight years of marriage had ended badly, with his ex-wifes unbearable temper leaving no room for friendship. At least they hadnt had kidsshed never wanted them.
At thirty-six, Oliver was in his primefit, broad-shouldered, with sharp features and an intense gaze. Hed had flings here and there, even with younger women, but marriage wasnt on his radar. Office romances? Too cliché, and most of his female colleagues were already married.
*»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 when you least expect it.»*
Turns out, Oliver wasnt as immune as he thought. Hed never forget that summer day when the new colleague walked into the office. The night before, his mate Ethan had mentioned, *»Theres a new hire starting tomorrowMaxs wife, from the next department.»*
Oliver vaguely knew Maxa dull, forgettable bloke. *»Bet his wifes just as boring,»* hed thought, brushing off the news.
Then he met Emily. One glance, and he was speechless. She was stunningand sharp, too. Within a week, he was counting the minutes until she arrived each morning, lying awake at night thinking about her.
*»Shes perfect for me,»* hed tell himself. *»And if shes right for me, Im right for her. I just need to get her attentionthough, bloody hell, shes married. At least our roles mean well be working closely. No one will suspect a thing.»*
Another week passed. Emily seemed to like himthey joked, laughed, worked side by side. But she talked about Max *constantly*, and Oliver hated it.
*»Is she hinting shes not interested, or does she actually love that boring man? She mustve married him for a reason»*
He held back from flirting outright, but working on shared projects made it hard. They were rarely aloneEthan was usually in the office with them.
Then one day, Ethan was out. Oliver and Emily leaned over documents, heads nearly touching. He caught the warmth of her breathand before he could stop himself, he kissed her.
She pulled back, covering her mouth. *»Oliver please, dont do that again.»*
But she didnt storm off. That had to mean something.
*»Sorry,»* he said, grinning. *»Couldnt help myself.»*
Emily just went back to work like nothing happened. Neither brought it up again.
By Friday, Oliver couldnt resist. *»Can I call you this weekend?»*
*»No,»* she said quicklythen hesitated. *»Ill call you.»*
*»Brilliant,»* he beamed. *»Ill wait.»*
But the weekend crawled by with no call. By Sunday evening, Oliver cracked and dialed her number.
*»Dont ring me,»* she whispered. *»Ill call when I can.»*
Thenshockinglyhis phone buzzed at dawn on Monday.
*»Oliver, are you free? Can I come over?»*
He nearly fell out of bed. *»Younow? Yeah, of course.»*
He scrambled to shower, brew coffee (though he didnt drink it), and answer the door. The second he saw her eyes, he knew. No words needed. He pulled her in, kissing her like hed never kissed anyone before.
*»Good morning,»* she murmured when she finally caught her breath.
Oliver didnt bother replying.
Later, over coffee in his kitchen, Emily said, *»Max leaves for work much earlier than me.»* Oliver stayed quiet, annoyed shed brought him up.
*»Your place is cosy,»* she added, glancing around. *»And the coffees lovely.»*
They made it to work just in time, arriving separately. Oliver braced for suspicion, but no one batted an eyeexcept Ethan.
*»Running late today, mate?»*
*»Just one of those mornings,»* Oliver shrugged.
They stole glances at lunch, but Ethan plopped down beside them, chatting about his weekend.
*»Slept in, missed breakfastthough the wife cooked. Always a mess after days off.»*
The weeks blurred. Early mornings at Olivers, stolen Saturdays when Max visited his parents countryside home.
*»Stay forever,»* Oliver begged one weekend as they lay in bed.
*»I cant,»* Emily sighed.
*»Why not?»*
*»Its impossible.»*
Oliver tried to be patient. *»Shell come around.»*
But eventually, he couldnt take it. *»Emily, divorce him. Marry me. Im sick of hiding.»*
*»I cant.»*
*»Why?»*
*»Because I have a son. Hes nearly elevenindependent, gets himself to school. Thats why I can slip away. Did you not realise?»*
Oliver swallowed his surprise. *»I dont care. Ill raise him as my own.»*
*»Max would never allow it. He adores him.»*
After that, their meetings grew shorter. Oliver was exhaustedby the secrecy, the early wake-ups, the dead end.
*»Ive thought about this,»* he said finally. *»Either you leave him, or were done.»*
Emilys voice was quiet. *»Then were done.»*
She walked out for good. Oliver moved on, dating a single womanbut it wasnt the same. Hed loved Emily like hed never love anyone again.
In the end, he chose peace over passion. It was easier that way.
