Ashley emerged from her sleeping quarters, carrying a soft fleece blanket. She walked over to Mia, standing in front of her with the blanket in hand. Mia glanced up from the book she was engrossed in, shifting her gaze between the blanket and Ashley's face.

"You might get cold," Ashley murmured, avoiding eye contact as she held the blanket out toward her.

Mia smiled warmly, shrugging before accepting the gesture. "Thank you," she said, draping the blanket over her legs while keeping her book lifted. Her attention briefly flicked to the door when a knock interrupted the moment.

"I'll get it," Ashley offered, heading quickly to answer. Peeking through the partially opened door, she blinked at the delivery person. Her brows furrowed as she pointed to the pile of bags in their hands.

"Are you sure all of these are ours?" she asked skeptically.

"Yes, Ma'am," the delivery guy confirmed with a polite nod. Ashley thanked him before closing the door, her mind still processing the sheer volume of food.

Walking back to the coffee table, she set the three large paper bags down with deliberate care. Her expression was a mix of disbelief and amusement. "Are you trying to make me swear off chicken for life?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "Six orders of assorted chicken wings and tenders, a box of flavored chips, two boxes of nuggets, and—of course—the sauces to match? What were you thinking?"

Mia laughed, closing her book and setting it aside. "What's wrong with that?" she teased, sitting upright. "Besides, aren't we planning to drink? You can't have beer without good food."

Ashley shook her head, chuckling as she started unpacking the bags. "You're something else, Mia," she muttered, laying out the boxes neatly on the table.

Mia smirked. "Food is meant to be enjoyed, and eating alone is just sad. So, consider this your rare chance to dine with a celebrity. Once in a lifetime, you know?"

Ashley rolled her eyes, groaning dramatically. "Oh, I'm not just eating with a celebrity," she said with a sly grin. "It's either we're eating each other out, or we're—" She caught herself mid-sentence, laughing under her breath. "Never mind."

Mia blinked, her cheeks heating up. "Gosh," she muttered, covering her ears as though to block out the innuendo. "Could you not?"

Ashley burst out laughing. "What's the problem? I thought you didn't want me treating you like a kid. This is how adults talk, sugarplum," she teased. Straightening, she headed for the fridge. "Let me grab the beers. You did say you wanted to drink, right?"



Ashley rested her cheek on the back of her hand, her elbow propped on the armrest. She glanced sideways at Mia, who was seated next to her, engrossed in her book and sipping a beer. A soft chuckle escaped her lips as she straightened up, reaching for another can of beer. She popped it open and took a long gulp.

"Are you planning to get drunk?" Mia asked, flipping to the next page of her book before glancing at Ashley.

Ashley paused mid-sip, turning to Mia with a grin. "Relax. I've got a high alcohol tolerance," she said, sounding almost smug.

"Good for you," Mia replied, setting her book down with a sigh. She drained the last of her beer and leaned back against the couch, closing her eyes.

Ashley stiffened when Mia suddenly sat up, twisting to face her.

"Right," Mia said with a bright smile. "Can I practice some lines on you?"

Ashley raised a brow, sitting straighter. "Lines? For what?"

Mia shrugged. "For the movie. We've been doing script readings nonstop these past few days."

"And?" Ashley frowned. "What does that have to do with me?"

Mia chuckled. "Well, do you even know what the movie's about?"

"No idea." Ashley shrugged, taking another sip of her beer.

"It's a girls' love movie," Mia said matter-of-factly. "An action-romance."

Ashley scoffed, leaning back. "Girls' love, huh? Think you can pull it off?" she asked, her tone teasing.

"Of course," Mia replied confidently. "It's my job to embody the character. I can handle it."

"Oh yeah?" Ashley smirked, leaning forward. "Prove it. Give me a line."

Mia rolled her eyes but smiled as she set her book aside. She cleared her throat, leaned closer, and gently cupped Ashley's cheek, her thumb brushing against her skin. "How long are we going to keep fighting?" she said softly, her voice laced with emotion. Her eyes locked onto Ashley's, flicking briefly to her lips before returning to her gaze. "Our teams... we're already standing on different sides. Why?"

Ashley swallowed hard, frozen under Mia's touch. There was something disarmingly intense about the way Mia's gaze bore into her.

"I don't want to be your enemy," Mia murmured, leaning in just enough that Ashley could feel her breath.

Ashley's hand gripped the couch's armrest tightly as her body tensed. "What's this, Detective? Are you waiting for me to kiss you?" Mia teased, a playful grin curling her lips as she noticed Ashley's reaction.

Ashley's face flushed as she quickly averted her gaze. "I'm not," she muttered. "Besides, you said this was from the script."

Mia laughed softly, pulling back and sitting upright again. "So, how was it? My line delivery? My acting?" she asked, tilting her head with a curious smile.

Ashley cleared her throat, still avoiding eye contact. "Terrible. It was terrible," she said, her voice stiff.

Mia raised a brow, unconvinced. "Really? But by the looks of it you're blushing," she pointed out with a smirk.

Ashley blinked, letting out an awkward laugh. "It's just the beer. You know, alcohol effect," she said, chuckling nervously.

Mia grinned wider. "Nope. You just told me you have a high alcohol tolerance, remember?" she said, leaning in slightly.

"W-why are you so close now?" Ashley stammered, shifting back until she was cornered against the couch's armrest.

Mia burst out laughing, shaking her head. "What's with that reaction? It's not like I'm going to do anything to you."

"Just don't make moves like that," Ashley said firmly, clutching her jacket and pulling it tighter around herself.

Mia scoffed in mock disbelief. "Why are you covering yourself like I'm some kind of pervert?" she asked, raising a hand as if to swat at Ashley playfully.

Ashley rolled her eyes. "Because you look like one right now."

"Oh, please. Your heart's probably racing," Mia teased, grinning mischievously. "Just admit it, Ash."

Ashley narrowed her eyes. "There's nothing to admit, sugarplum."

Mia laughed, sitting back casually. "Okay, maybe it's just me whose heart is beating fast," she said, a soft chuckle escaping her lips.

Ashley blinked, her gaze snapping to Mia. "W-what?"

Mia tilted her head, her grin turning playful. "Palpitation, Detective. You know, from the beer. Not from you. Sorry to disappoint," she said with a wink, leaving Ashley flustered and speechless.