CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY EIGHT - DWELLING ON THE SENSATION

Over the following weeks, their dynamic shifted almost imperceptibly. The awkwardness between them gradually dissolved as they grew more comfortable simply being themselves around each other. Miguel continued to show deference to Karina's leadership, while she allowed herself to be more vulnerable with him. One day, as she was reviewing some mock-up designs, Miguel appeared in her open doorway. "Hey, you've got to see this," he said, a bright gleam in his eyes despite his obvious exhaustion. He crossed to her desk, pulling up a chair beside her to view her laptop screen. For the next two hours, they huddled together fine-tuning every minute detail of the product visuals. It was the closest form of complaint-free collaboration Karina could remember between them. She found herself leaning into his space as they exchanged ideas in a rapid-fire volley, their shoulders occasionally brushing in their shared excitement. When Miguel's phone chimed with an upcoming appointment reminder, the