Mia glanced around Ashley's firm, her eyes taking in the cozy setup. She chuckled when her gaze landed on two large bookshelves filled to the brim. Turning to Ashley, who was walking beside her with an easy stride, Mia smirked.

"Why does your firm look more like a living room than an actual detective office?" she teased, her laughter echoing softly as she scanned the room's inviting interior.

Ashley scoffed, rubbing the back of her neck. "Well, I practically live here. I've got a sleeping quarter in the back for all those late nights. Pulling all-nighters comes with the job," she said with a nonchalant shrug.

Mia tilted her head, arms crossing over her chest. "So, you're a workaholic?" she asked, her gaze scrutinizing Ashley. "Doesn't seem like something you'd enjoy."

Ashley burst out laughing, wiping at the corner of her eye. "Wow, look at you, judging my life choices already," she said, grinning. "And for the record, I'm a fantastic detective—just not quite as legendary as Kogoro Mouri," she added with a playful smirk.

Mia chuckled, shaking her head. "Isn't Conan or Shinichi the real reason Mouri's even known as the 'Sleeping Detective'?" she quipped, stepping toward the bookshelf. Her fingers glided over the spines of the neatly arranged books.

Ashley raised a brow, letting out a scoff. "And now you're pulling anime references? Who even are you?"

Glancing over her shoulder, Mia smiled. "I like watching anime and reading books," she said lightly. Then, with a self-deprecating laugh, she added, "Maybe that's why my great ex-husband cheated. Guess he got bored with a wife like me."

Ashley leaned forward, placing a hand on Mia's head as she tilted her head sideways to meet her gaze. "Look at you, bringing up your ex again," she said, clicking her tongue in mock disapproval.

Mia met Ashley's gaze, her lips curling into a mischievous smile. "Talk like that, and I might start thinking you're jealous," she teased, a soft laugh escaping her lips.

Ashley froze for a moment before chuckling. "Why would I be jealous over some lousy ex?" she replied, straightening up and shoving her hands into her pockets. "Besides, I'm your bodyguard. Guys like that? Not good for you. There are plenty of ways to spice up a relationship without resorting to cheating."

Mia turned fully toward her, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. "Oh? And what are these magical ways to avoid boredom in a relationship?"

Ashley blinked, suddenly caught off guard. "Uh... well, I mean, stuff like cooking together... or, uh, taking a bath together?" she stammered, quickly averting her eyes to the bookshelf.

"Taking a bath together?" Mia repeated, her laughter bubbling up. "Most guys think women are just supposed to take care of them—clean the house, raise their kids, comfort them, like we're some kind of... bedwarmers," she said, her tone dipping into a hint of sarcasm.

Ashley chuckled softly, crossing her arms. "You know, I think the only person who can truly understand a woman is another woman," she said, her voice thoughtful. "We get each other's emotions, needs, and how to take care of one another without treating it like a chore."

Mia laughed, shaking her head. "Why does it feel like you're suggesting I try a same-sex relationship?" she asked, raising a playful brow.

Ashley blinked, then smirked, clicking her tongue as she leaned in closer. Her voice dropped to a teasing whisper. "That's just what you're feeling, Mia," she said, locking eyes with her. "But hey, if you're curious... you wanna try?"



Mia was too stunned to speak. She blinked as Ashley grinned at her, that teasing expression making her thoughts spiral. Me? In a relationship? she wondered, swallowing hard. She cleared her throat, quickly averting her gaze.

"You're overthinking it," Ashley said, patting Mia's head playfully as she crouched down to retrieve something from a nearby shelf. "It was just a joke," she added with a grin, pulling out a set of sealed books.

Mia exhaled deeply, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "You know," she began, watching Ashley rummage through the books. "There was a time I told myself that if I didn't get a boyfriend, at least let me have a girlfriend." She chuckled at the memory.

Ashley glanced up, intrigued. "And? How'd that turn out?"

Mia scoffed lightly, shaking her head. "Got a boyfriend," she admitted with a laugh. "Ended up getting married... and then divorced. So now I'm wondering—maybe I'm destined to have a girlfriend after all. Or maybe I'm just destined to be single forever," she joked, though there was a faint note of melancholy in her voice.

Ashley clicked her tongue, standing up with a stack of books in hand. "I've told you before, Mia. You're still young. There are plenty of people out there who'll treat you right, you'll see."

Mia studied her for a moment, a thoughtful expression crossing her face as she walked toward Ashley. Distracted by her thoughts, she didn't notice the slight elevation in the floor. Her foot caught the edge, and she stumbled, her balance faltering.

Ashley moved quickly, catching her before she fell. Mia froze, her face pressed against Ashley's chest. She inhaled sharply, catching a whiff of Ashley's scent—it was clean, warm, and oddly comforting. Her cheeks burned. Why does she smell so good?

"Enjoying the smell a bit too much, sugarplum?" Ashley teased, her voice low but laced with amusement. Her arms remained firmly around Mia, though her own heartbeat quickened from their sudden closeness.

Mia scrambled to straighten herself, clearing her throat. "Sorry," she muttered, her gaze dropping to the floor. "I didn't see the raised part," she added, nervously biting her lip as her pulse raced.

"No worries," Ashley replied, stepping back, though her own cheeks were faintly flushed. She cleared her throat, holding up the books. "These are the latest releases from Tonnie. Do you already have them? If not, they're all yours."

Mia settled onto the couch in front of the coffee table, tilting her head as she examined the books. "Are you serious? This is a lot," she said, her lips curling into a grin. "This could keep my bookworm self busy for at least a month or two."

Ashley shrugged, smiling. "Wouldn't you love that? Now you've got something to do in your free time—no excuses for boredom."

Mia's smile brightened as she looked at Ashley. "Thank you," she said sincerely. "I really appreciate it."

Ashley waved her hand dismissively, her gaze shifting away as something stirred inside her. Why does she make me feel this way? she wondered, brushing off the thought. "Don't forget the deal, superstar. You owe me food delivery—it's not free, you know."

Mia laughed, fishing her phone from her pocket. "I haven't forgotten. What do you want, Ash?"

"Fried chicken," Ashley said after a moment. "Any brand will do. What about you? What do you feel like eating?"

"Fried chicken works for me too," Mia said, scrolling through a delivery app. "Should we pair it with some beer?" She glanced up with a mischievous smile. "Oh, and can I stay a little longer?"

Ashley raised an eyebrow. "I've got plenty of beer in the fridge. But why do you want to stick around?"

Mia shrugged casually. "I just don't feel like going home yet. I can catch a ride later."

Ashley sighed, sinking into a chair across from Mia. "Planning to read while you eat?"

Mia grinned knowingly. "How'd you guess?"

Ashley chuckled. "Call it intuition. Stay as long as you want, I'll drop you home later. Bodyguard duties, you know."

Mia's laughter rang out, soft and genuine. "Thanks, Ash."

"For what?" Ashley asked, frowning slightly.

Mia hesitated before shrugging. "For putting up with me. I know it's my day off and yours too—but here you are, stuck with me."

Ashley shook her head, her voice softening. "It's nothing, Mia. Honestly, I'd probably just be wasting my time hooking up with someone if I wasn't here." She chuckled.

Mia smirked, raising an eyebrow. "Did I ruin your fun?"

"Not at all," Ashley said, meeting Mia's eyes briefly before looking away. "If anything... it's fun being with you." Her words came out quieter than intended, and she bit her lip, flustered by the moment. "I mean—" she started, but the intensity of Mia's gaze stopped her.

"You're feeling it too, aren't you?" Mia asked softly, her head tilting in curiosity.

Ashley gulped, her usual confidence wavering. "Maybe."