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“It’s complicated.” I pull another piece from my muffin. “He treats me like an equal. If I have an opinion, he listens. If I disagree with him, he hears me out. I’ve spent years expecting every conversation to turn into an argument, and it never does.”

“But… he’s just your boss, right?”

Heat creeps into my face. “He was.”

Kira studies me across the table. “Oh, Emma.”

“It wasn’t supposed to happen.”

She sets her coffee down. “Please tell me you didn’t jump into this because he treated you better than Spencer.”

I look away. “He does treat me better.”

“I don’t doubt that.” She reaches across the table and squeezes my hand. “I’m asking whether you’re with him because you want him, or because you’re finally being treated the way you should’ve been all along.”

“Both,” I admit.

She nods like she’d expected that answer. “That worries me.”

“Bane isn’t Spencer.”

“I know.” She gives my hand another squeeze before letting go. “I’m worried about you. You fall hard, Emma, and you’ve barely had time to figure out who you are without Spencer.”

I trace the rim of my cup. “I know.”

She watches me for a beat before asking, “If this relationship falls apart, what happens to the job you’ve worked so hard for?”

I don’t answer.

She exhales. “I believe Bane’s a good man. Good people can still end up in messy situations.”

My thoughts drift to Babs and Biddy arguing over dinosaurs, Sprout stealing food, Mara watching everyone at the dinner table, and Bane waiting for my text every time he takes me home.

“He has two little girls,” I say.

Kira’s expression softens. “You’ve met them?”

“I’ve spent time with all of them. His mom, too.”

She leans back. “So this isn’t casual.”

I shake my head. “No.”

“Does he feel the same way?”

“I think so.” I nod. “I mean, it feels like he does.”

Kira watches me for a long beat before reaching across the table to squeeze my hand. “I want this to work out for you, Em. I really do.”

I smile. “I know.”

“Then promise me you’ll pay attention if that feeling changes.” She holds my gaze. “You spent four years convincing yourself Spencer would become the man you deserved. I don’t want you doing that again.”

The reminder stings because she’s right. “I won’t,” I say. “I promise.”

She relaxes a little, though the concern never leaves her face. “Good. Then I’ll give Bane a fair chance.”

Relief washes through me. “Thank you.”