Nick shrugged. “I’ve known Zach a long time. He doesn’t argue with people he doesn’t respect. He gives them orders. He respects you.”
Emma absorbed that, turning it over as butterflies took flight in her stomach.
Nick’s tone softened. “He’s spent most of his life taking care of other people. Making sure they survived things they should never have had to face.” He paused, eyes on her face. “He deserves a good woman in his life.”
She shifted her weight, swallowing the lump in her throat and picking her words with care. “That’s a generous sentiment, but hypothetically speaking, workplace dynamics?—”
Nick raised a hand. “That’s why I wanted to talk to you.” His expression turned more sincere. “If anything develops between the two of you, your job is safe.”
Emma blinked. What he was implying was against every HR policy in existence. Against all common sense. The power dynamics…
He continued, calm and deliberate, as if he read her mind. “No repercussions. No awkward reassignment. No sudden change in responsibilities. You’re one of the best HR directors I’ve worked with, and nothing about Zach changes that.”
She studied him, searching his face for humor. She found none.
“You’re assuming quite a bit,” she said.
Nick smiled. “Not assuming.” He glanced into the room where Zach studied the radar app while David pointed to something. “Observing. And maybe hoping.”
Emma followed his gaze, her visual focus tightening on Zach. He appeared to be focused on the screen, but his body was eerily still.
He couldn’t have heard Nick, could he?She looked at David. His eyes were also directed at the screen, but his smirk didn’t match the seriousness of the approaching storm.
Nick pushed away from the wall with a quick smile. “Anyway, consider this your unofficial HR reassurance.”
She huffed a quiet laugh. “I appreciate the vote of confidence.”
Nick started down the hall, then paused. “Oh—and Emma?”
“Yes?”
“If you do decide to claim my head of security…” His smile grew wicked. “Please try not to break him.”
She folded her arms, an unwilling smile tugging at her lips even as heat flared in cheeks. “I’ll keep it in mind.”
Nick chuckled and walked away.
She stood there a moment, Nick’s words settling like stones dropped into still water.
He deserves a good woman in his life.
She shouldn’t be thinking about it. Shouldn’t be considering the implications. Shouldn’t be wondering what it would be like to be the person who softened the edges of a man made entirely of knife-sharp angles and controlled force.
Inside the meeting room, David said something that made Zach’s jaw tighten. Even from the hall, Emma could see the point where Zach’s patience frayed; a split second later, he reached out to slap David on the back of the head.
David ducked and grinned. Zach shook his head, but a smile tugged at his lips. Who knew he could smile?
Whatever was happening between them, it had the easy rhythm of long familiarity—brothers who knew how to push each other’s buttons and did so with affection.
Emma turned to leave.
And found Zach watching her.
Not the hallway. Not her general area. Her.
Their eyes met across the distance, and something in the moment stilled—like the air before a storm breaks.
Emma didn’t look away.
