She answers it's you

Samantha takes a deep breath. "With you," she says finally, voice quiet.

For a second, the words just hang there. You blink, the casual smirk completely vanishing from your face. "Wait. Me?"

"Yes, you," Samantha says, finally looking up to meet your eyes, her cheeks are flushed.

A sudden surge of mixed emotions coursed through you. You have expected her to answer a celebrity, an ex, some distant colleague; being in her mind is the last thing you predicted.

"Wow," you breathe out, shaking your head slightly as a slow smile creeps up. "I... okay. I'm incredibly flattered. But why me? I mean, out of everyone?"

Samantha lets out a soft, nervous laugh, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she looks at you.

"Because you're kind," she says softly, her tone entirely devoid of the usual office banter. "And you're incredibly intelligent. Every time we talk, you actually listen, you know? Plus..." She hesitates, her eyes lingering on your face a second longer than usual. "...you're handsome. Very handsome, actually." She sighs. "Honestly? If I weren't married... if things were different? I would have jumped on you a long time ago."

The confession felt like a blow to your gut as your felt your blood boils from her admission.