"I'm patient. Knowing when to pounce is half the fun," she said as she stepped out into the hallway. She gently nudged Nika with her shoulder. "You should smile more often, by the way. Lights up the whole place," she winked.

"You tell me. I mean, you're the boss woman. Me, I'm fine with people knowing that we're seeing each other in a not-entirely-professional way. But if that makes you nervous, then I can keep the you-and-I stuff out of the work place." She was nothing if not a mostly consummate professional.