Let’s be honest: not every spark is a wildfire. Sometimes it’s just… a well-placed sparkler. You know the type: a situationship that bubbles up somewhere between the coffee machine and a shared elevator ride. There’s warmth, wit, occasional chemistry, and just enough intrigue to make you check your reflection twice. But is it love? Nope. It’s more like emotional snacking—and, frankly, sometimes that’s all you need.
Recently, I found myself riding the tailwind of one of these “professional-ish” flings. He’s newer to the scene, focused, clearly invested in making his mark. I’m senior, seasoned, and generally more focused on delivery roadmaps than decoding DMs. But still, there was something. The conversations were easy, the glances a bit longer than necessary, and yes—there may have been a spontaneous after-hours meet-up where he couldn’t keep his hands off me and made sure I got home safe. We call that “polite plus.”
But then came the post-flirt flatline:
I lobbed a message—playful, observant, totally chill. Something about his outfit. Response? A lukewarm “ha ha.” I followed up, exhausted from a red-eye flight back . His reply was polite but short. No follow-up. No spark. Just… silence.
And so, my ego did what all emotionally intelligent women’s egos do when not immediately worshipped:
It flared.
Was he losing interest? Was I reading too much into things? Had I—gasp—become the one sending nuanced, emotionally tinted texts into a black hole of casual workplace flirtation?
But here’s the revelation: I wasn’t heartbroken. I was just… slightly bruised in the pride department.
And that’s okay.
Because sometimes, a situationship isn’t about forever—it’s about the fun. The chemistry. The confidence boost. And the occasional reminder that yes, you’ve still got it—even if “it” is best enjoyed on a limited-release basis.
So, what’s the strategy moving forward?
Stay warm, not thirsty.
Let him wonder.
Mirror his energy—if he floats a flirty glance, raise an eyebrow and float back. If not? You’re still fabulous.
And most importantly, keep it professional with a touch of “maybe.”
Because honestly, what’s more powerful than a woman who knows exactly what she wants—even if what she wants is just a little spark, a good story, and the upper hand?
A R 
Lee Allen G