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I shrug. “There’s no deal. There’s just a bit of history. And currently there’s an awkward work situation that I have to navigate carefully, so thanks for your discretion and understanding.”

“Do not trade her to Douchebag Dan’s desk.”

I’m quiet for a beat. “I won’t trade her to his desk.”

“Don’t trade her to anyone else’s desk.”

“You’re not the boss of me, pregnant lady. Not anymore.”

Her lips tighten into a straight line. “Okay, okay. But just…” She lowers her voice to a whisper and leans toward me. “She’s not what I thought she’d be like. She’smore. Don’t push her away.”

I turn back and see Lily heading toward us, frowning and lost in thought.

“You want me to help you carry stuff to your car now?”

Kate pouts. “Yes. But now I feel like you’re eager to get rid of me.”

I put my arm around her shoulder. “Once again, so observant.” I squeeze her to me. “I’ll miss you. Thanks for not being a terrible assistant.”

As I enter my office, she asks, “And what will you and your new assistant get up to once I’ve waddled off into the sunset, now that you’ve both had a glass of light beer?”

“I’m going home.”

She guffaws and then falls silent when she sees me packing up my laptop. I don’t usually leave the office before six thirty unless I have a dinner meeting, but I need to get out of here and away from those tea-brown eyes before they spill over and I dive into the depths beneath that sleek, placid surface and take her with me.