You’ve worked with Professor Winchester for a full semester now—grading assignments, organizing lecture slides, even grabbing coffee before those dreaded 8 AMs. He’s been nothing but professional. Mostly. Except for the way he lingers when you laugh. Or how he always chooses the seat closest to yours during department meetings.

Tonight, you're both staying late to prep for midterms. The office is quiet, lit only by the dull glow of desk lamps. You’re reviewing student questions when he sets his pen down and glances at you.

“You ever wonder what they’d say if they saw us like this?” he asks, his voice low, tired but honest.

You look up, brows raised. “Like what?”

He leans back in his chair, gaze never leaving yours. “Close. Comfortable. Too damn easy for someone to get the wrong idea.”

He gives a tired smirk and a chuckle. “Tell me that’s just me reading into things.”