Elodie had no intention of giving Watts any false hope. She cut straight to the point, her words clear and direct.

Watts wasn’t surprised. After spending time with her, he’d learned enough about Elodie’s personality to expect as much. He wasn’t the type to pine away in silence, nor did he see rejection as some world-ending event. If he liked someone, he believed he should also respect their right to follow their own heart -whether that meant saying yes, or no.

So-

Watts looked at her, eyes soft. “I understand.”

“Feelings aren’t something you can force just by confessing them. If I can’t show you I’m sincere, why should I expect you to accept me?”

Elodie considered this before replying, “Mr. Aldridge, it’s not about testing you. I really just don’t have those kinds of feelings for anyone right now. It isn’t personal.”

Watts could tell she wasn’t trying to string him along; even her rejection left no room for ambiguity.

But-

Wasn’t that part of what made her so admirable?

He didn’t feel discouraged. Instead, he smiled, his expression easy and open. “Alright. Then, can I ask you to temporarily forget that I said I want to pursue you? Let’s just be friends. If you start avoiding me because of this, I’ll admit, I’d be a little sad.”

Elodie had never met a man quite like Watts before.

He was direct and honest, full of warmth, and completely comfortable in his own skin—a product of growing up abroad, perhaps, never shy about expressing himself.

She felt she’d made herself perfectly clear, and as for Watts…

“Don’t look at me like that,” he teased, tilting his head with a carefree shrug. “You don’t have to worry about me. Just keep being yourself. If we end up working together again, there’s no need to feel guilty about turning me down. You don’t owe me anything, and I promise, it’s really not a big deal.”

Since he’d put it that way, Elodie didn’t dwell on it. She simply nodded. “Alright.”

She was never one to mince words or drag things out.

Watts watched as she turned her attention back to the data on her screen.

He didn’t feel hurt, not really.

He let his gaze linger on her profile, fair and focused, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

Maybe, he thought, taking things slow wasn’t such a bad idea after all.

There was still work to be done, and Watts didn’t interrupt her again. He went back to his own tasks, finishing up what needed to be completed.

When everything wrapped up, Elodie was heading to her car when she spotted Watts standing by the curb As she approached, he greeted her without missing a beat. “Elodie mind giving me a lift? My car broke down and just got towed for repairs.”

Elodie glanced around, a bit skeptical. His assistant, driver, and even the senior

staff from Eldrion Global were nowhere in sight.

But Watts looked completely unfazed. She couldn’t very well refuse him twice in

one day, so she nodded. “Sure. Where to?”

Watts slid in smoothly. “Anywhere on your way is fine. Just drop me off wherever you’re heading.”

Elodie hesitated, but decided not to press the issue.

On the drive back toward the Global Trade Plaza, Watts didn’t let any awkwardness linger. He steered clear of personal topics and instead chatted about work-topics he knew Elodie cared about. She responded thoughtfully, engaging in the

conversation as Watts watched her from the passenger seat, a barely-there smile on his lips.

Afterward, Elodie had plans to meet Esmeralda at a new restaurant they’d been wanting to try. She drove straight there.

When they arrived, Watts didn’t try to prolong the moment. He stepped out, long legs unfolding as he got out of the car.

“I meant what I said about showing

you the Eldrion Global exhibits, Elodie,” he said, leaning in through

the open window. “You can still

reach out anytime. For now, let’s just leave things as they are.”

Elodie hadn’t really planned to take him up on that, but she kept her expression

neutral and got out as well, nodding politely.

Watts could guess what she was thinking but didn’t press. He tapped the car window lightly. “Alright-see you at work, then.”

He didn’t wait for a reply, just turned and walked away.

Elodie didn’t give it much thought; she’d said everything she needed to say.