Control yourself

As they say, good guys finish last. But you're a good guy. As you look at her, flushed, vulnerable, and completely sincere, you kick yourself in the back for deciding not to take advantage of the situation.

"Thank you," you say quietly, your voice steady and genuinely warm, keeping a respectful distance. "That means a lot to me. Truly. But I value what we have, and I value your life outside of this office too."

She gives a small, relieved nod, the tension breaking just enough for both of you to steer the conversation back to safer, familiar topics