"Always."
At one-forty-five, I'm pacing in the hallway outside the HR office, trying not to throw up.
Justin went in fifteen minutes ago. I haven't heard anything. No shouting, no sounds of disaster, just quiet conversation behind a closed door.
The door opens.
Justin emerges, expression neutral. He glances at me, gives the barest nod, then continues down the hallway without stopping.
Professional.Right.We agreed.
But my hands are shaking.
"Holly White?" The HR director, Patricia Chen, appears in the doorway. "Come in."
I follow her into the small office. She gestures to a chair, settles behind her desk, and opens a file.
"Thank you for coming in," she says. "I understand you and Director Bell have disclosed a personal relationship?"
"Yes."
"Can you tell me, in your own words, how this relationship began?"
I take a breath. "We got snowed in together at the lodge last weekend. During the storm. We talked. We realized there was... a connection."
"Had there been any indication of this connection before the storm?"
"No. I mean, I thought he was attractive, but we barely spoke before that. Just professional interactions. If I were to be honest with you?”
“That’s what we are expecting, honesty.”
“Well, I thought he was high and mighty. I thought he was letting the park go to gallop around the world. This weekend he showed me the park from his own view. He showed me how some of the things I thought were bad about the park actually give it character. No, we weren’t dating before this weekend."
Patricia makes a note. "And since the relationship began, have you noticed any change in your work dynamic? Any preferential treatment?"
"No. He's been completely professional at work."
"Has he given you assignments or opportunities you wouldn't have otherwise received?"
"No. Everything I do, I’ve earned based on my performance."
More notes. "I have to ask this next question. Are you feeling any pressure to continue this relationship? Any concern that ending it might affect your employment?"
"No. None at all."
"And you're comfortable with the power dynamic? Boss and employee?"
I hesitate, biting back a snarky retort. If only she knew exactly how comfortable I was with the power dynamic between us. "Yes. We've talked about it extensively. We both understand the need for clear boundaries at work."
Patricia studies me for a long moment. "Holly, I'm going to be direct with you. Office romances, especially between supervisors and subordinates, can create complications. Perceptions of favoritism, questions about consent, concerns about professional judgment."
"I understand."
"However." She closes the file. "You're both adults. You've disclosed the relationship promptly and appropriately. And from what Director Bell has shared, you've both committed to maintaining professional boundaries at work."
My heart hammers. "So...?"
"So, we're going to allow the relationship to continue on the job, with some conditions." She pulls out a form. "First, we'll be reassigning your direct reporting line. You'll report only to Mrs. Jensen instead of Director Bell. Second, Director Bell will recuse himself from any decisions about your performance reviews, compensation, or advancement. Third, if either of you experiences any pressure, discomfort, or concern about the relationship affecting work, you're to report it immediately."
