Resting both elbows on the table, Ashley glanced out the window. They were gathered with the production team at a barbecue restaurant, a casual get-together she would have preferred to skip. Unfortunately, she had no choice but to attend.

"Mia!" the director called out, grinning as he waved her over enthusiastically. "Come, sit beside Detective Ashley," he added, gesturing toward the two empty seats next to Ashley.

Ashley and Mia's eyes met briefly before Ashley broke the gaze, clearing her throat as she sat up straighter.

"Since you two will be working closely together during the workshop, you might as well take this chance to get to know each other," the director said, his smile widening as he looked between them.

"Exactly," Maya chimed in, sliding a chair toward the table for Mia and nudging her to sit beside Ashley. "And since Detective Ashley will also be acting as Mia's temporary personal bodyguard, it's only fitting!" she teased, setting off a buzz of excitement from the rest of the group.

Mia shook her head with a small laugh as she sat down, adjusting her chair. She leaned slightly toward Ashley. "You good?" she asked softly.

Ashley looked at her, her expression calm but unreadable. "Why wouldn't I be?" she replied, raising her glass of beer and taking a long sip.

"You're acting a little... off," Mia said with a chuckle, her tone playful.

Scoffing, Ashley glanced across the table at Natalie, who was watching her and Mia with an unreadable expression. Rolling her eyes, Ashley leaned closer to Mia, her voice dropping conspiratorially. "If looks could kill, I'd be six feet under right now," she said, subtly nodding in Natalie's direction.

Mia blinked, her gaze flitting to Natalie before returning to Ashley. She let out a soft laugh. "What did you do this time?"

Ashley shrugged, her grin widening. "Maybe I'm just too stunning for her to handle. She probably wants to take me out to lessen the competition," she joked, setting her glass down with exaggerated flair.

"Wow," Mia chuckled, shaking her head. "You really are full of yourself, aren't you?"

"Right, Mia," the director interjected, drawing her attention. "Have you heard the latest news?"

Mia tilted her head in curiosity. "Which one? You know there's always something new going around about me," she said, laughing lightly as she shook her head.

The table erupted in laughter, a supportive gesture to help her brush off any stress from the constant media buzz around her.

"Well," the director said, leaning forward, "this one just broke about an hour ago. They're saying you're dating someone new. There's a photo, but it's so blurry it's hard to tell. Care to confirm or deny?" His tone made it clear he didn't buy into the gossip.

Mia scoffed, reaching into her handbag for her phone. "Let me see how terrible I look this time," she joked, scrolling through the news on her screen. Her expression shifted as she zoomed in on the photo.

Her heart skipped a beat as recognition dawned—it was from her recent outing at the mall. In the photo was her ex-husband... and—

Her gaze flicked to Ashley before she looked away, focusing on the table in front of her. "Gosh, what is this? It's ridiculously blurry," she said, feigning indifference.

"Besides," she continued with a dismissive shake of her head, "I haven't been dating anyone since my divorce."

"See?" the director said with a scoff. "But your ex-husband's already in a relationship."

"Isn't that normal?" Ashley chimed in, shrugging as she leaned back in her chair. "The one who moves on first—or at least finds someone else—usually enters a new relationship quicker."

Mia's eyes shifted toward Ashley, studying her for a moment. Ashley caught her gaze and frowned slightly. "Why are you looking at me like that?" she muttered, glancing around nervously before meeting Mia's eyes again.

"Are you talking from experience?" Mia teased, her tone light but probing. "You sound a little... bitter."

The table burst into laughter as Ashley's face broke into an amused grin. "Oh, come on," she said, chuckling along. "I said better, not bitter!"



Ashley exhaled a plume of smoke, leaning against the cold wall of the dimly lit alley. One hand rested in her pocket while the other held a cigarette. She glanced up at the sky, the faint glow of city lights barely visible beyond the haze. She chuckled softly, shutting her eyes. How long has it been since I had any real fun? She clicked her tongue in thought.

"There you are."

Ashley straightened immediately, her gaze snapping to Mia's figure approaching from the shadows. Without hesitation, she extinguished her cigarette and tossed it into the nearby bin.

Mia stopped a few steps away, her head tilted curiously. "Are you done smoking already?" she asked, eyeing the bin before looking back at Ashley.

Ashley shrugged. "Figured you wouldn't like the smell, so..." Her voice trailed off as she smirked faintly. "What does the superstar need from me now?"

Mia rubbed the back of her neck, her expression awkward. "I just... wanted to thank you. And, uh, apologize, I guess." She offered a sheepish smile.

"Apologize? For what?" Ashley folded her arms, eyebrows knitting in confusion.

"For agreeing to be my temporary bodyguard. I know you didn't really want to do it, so... thanks. I swear, as soon as we find a replacement, you're off the hook. And, well, sorry for dragging you into my messy life in the meantime." Mia laughed nervously, her gaze flickering to Ashley's face.

Ashley blinked, her chest tightening inexplicably. She studied Mia in the dim light, wondering how anyone could take this woman for granted. She spoke without thinking. "I just don't get how your ex-husband had the audacity to cheat on you."

Mia's brow furrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Ashley gestured at her from head to toe as if presenting a prize. "Look at you. You're gorgeous. Classy. You've got that whole 'fashion icon from a wealthy family' thing going on. Yet he still cheated? Makes no sense."

Mia laughed, crossing her arms. "Detective, are you checking me out right now?"

Ashley's smirk faltered. "What? No." She frowned, her tone defensive. "I'm just saying, if I had someone like you, I wouldn't be stupid enough to let them go."

"Wow," Mia teased, shaking her head with a grin. "Full of compliments tonight, aren't we?"

"Just being honest," Ashley muttered.

Mia chuckled softly but then grew serious. "She must've been lucky, though—whoever had your heart before. I mean, you seem like someone who'd love fiercely."

Ashley stiffened, the corners of her mouth turning down slightly. "Not anymore," she said, her voice quieter now. "I don't do relationships. If someone's willing to put up with me and how I... operate, sure. But I'm not looking." She laughed bitterly, though the sound lacked any humor.

Mia's eyes softened. "You don't give yourself enough credit, Detective." She paused, then added with a weak smile, "But hey, I'm divorced at twenty-seven, so I'm not exactly winning at life either."

Ashley tilted her head, studying Mia with a mix of curiosity and something she couldn't quite name. "You're still young. Someone will come along who'll treat you the way you deserve. Just give yourself time."

For a moment, silence stretched between them, the quiet punctuated only by the distant hum of the city. Ashley's chest tightened again, and she couldn't stop the intrusive thought—Why am I feeling drawn to her like this? She's ten years younger than me, for crying out loud. And an actress. Get a grip.

"Oh," Mia exclaimed suddenly, breaking the tension. Her expression turned apologetic. "I have bad news."

Ashley raised an eyebrow. "What now?"

"That news earlier about me dating someone..." Mia hesitated, biting her lip. "Turns out it's a photo of us. From the mall, remember? When I mistook you for a stranger."

Ashley blinked, then scoffed. "Seriously? That's what they're making a big deal about? It's not even my face in the picture."

"Yeah, but I still feel bad for dragging you into it. I mean, I'm used to these rumors, but you don't deserve to get caught up in my chaos," Mia admitted, her voice tinged with guilt.

Ashley smirked, leaning closer. "Then how about you pay me back for the trouble?"

Mia tilted her head, intrigued. "How so?"

Ashley didn't hesitate. She leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss to Mia's lips, pulling back with a mischievous grin. "Does that count as compensation?"

Mia stood frozen, her face flushing in the dim light. But before Ashley could retreat, Mia grabbed her collar and pulled her back down, kissing her with more determination.

Ashley's eyes widened in shock before instinctively wrapping her arms around Mia, pulling her closer. Mia stepped onto Ashley's toes, rising to meet her fully, her arms snaking around Ashley's neck.

The kiss broke after a few moments, leaving them both breathless. Mia's eyes met Ashley's, her cheeks still flushed. "Was that sufficient enough to pay my debt?" she asked, her voice teasing but her gaze steady.

Ashley covered her mouth, her face mirroring Mia's blush. "I... I lost control. That shouldn't have happened," she stammered, bowing her head in a rare display of awkwardness.

Mia chuckled, the sound soft and warm. "Why do I feel like... my walls are starting to crumble around you?"

Ashley looked up, her heart racing, unable to find the words to respond.