Daniel felt the shift in their proximity, her arm grazing his. The contact stirred an unfamiliar heat deep within him, mirroring something unspoken between them. Rather than fighting for composure, he found himself remarkably steady, more aware than usual of every subtle movement and breath. Focus, he reminded himself. This is a professional relationship. But even as he thought it, he couldn’t deny the pull he felt towards her.

The elevator resumed its descent, and Juniper became acutely aware of every sensation… the scent of his cologne, the warmth radiating from him, the sound of his steady breath. She dared not look at him, afraid that her eyes would betray the swirling emotions within.

As the horizons fell away with each floor, the snow-capped forest and serpentine river slipping from view, the sleek tower became a conduit to the heavens. Glass beneath their feet seemed to vanish, creating the illusion of floating above the cityscape while the sun’s peeking rays painted the interior in a kaleidoscope of warm hues. Daniel’s quiet strength, amplified by the interplay of light and shadow, drew Juniper closer… a sense of inevitability hanging in the air…