Samantha blushes and thanks you

Samantha blushes at your compliment and says "Thank you, John," with a big smile. You swear she goes out of her way to bend down in front of you a couple times later that day.

As the weeks go by, you find every opportunity to connect more with Samantha. You bring in her favorite vegan cupcakes into the office, you praise her ideas in meetings, and you compliment her taste in music and movies as much as you do her looks and style.

You also give Samantha a couple projects that mean late nights in the office. You don't really have to help her, but you decide to stick around in solidarity. You even order food delivery that the two of you can share. It's not exactly a date, but when you sit down and eat the food together and Samantha opens up more about her family and her life before Google, it almost feels like one.

One night, after you're done eating your Thai food, you pick up all the trash and wipe down the table and Samantha says, "Thanks, honey!" She immediately catches herself and her face goes bright red. She apologizes, but you tell her it's no big deal.

"You're basically my work wife," you say to Samantha to ease her embarrassment. And then you put a hand on her shoulder. Touching Samantha is amazing - despite how important she is to you, you've almost barely touched.

"Awww, that's good to hear," she says as you let your hand linger on her shoulder and eventually give her a little squeeze. After that you occasionally call her "honey" when you're alone and it always makes her smile.