Ashley glanced at her wristwatch, tapping impatiently on Natalie's desk. Natalie looked up, arching an eyebrow as she skimmed through the document she was holding. She sighed, putting the papers aside and leaning back in her chair, arms crossed.

"What's going on with you?" Natalie asked, frowning. "You've been checking your watch and drumming on my desk like you've got somewhere urgent to be."

Ashley rolled her eyes. "Can you just hand me the case already? I need to leave." She glanced at her wristwatch again—Mia was waiting for her in the Jeep outside.

Natalie tilted her head, smirking. "What's this? A hot date?" she teased, then narrowed her eyes as she slid the document back into its envelope. "Wait... don't tell me. You and Ms. Tran—"

Ashley raised an eyebrow, cutting her off. "Me and Mia what?"

Natalie shrugged, leaning forward with an all-too-curious look. "Are you dating her?"

Ashley's stomach flipped, but she quickly masked it with an exasperated sigh. "I told you to stay out of my business, Nat." She snatched the envelope off the desk.

"You do realize there's a pretty big age gap between you two, right?" Natalie asked, her tone softening slightly. "Ash, I just hope you're not doing this for fun. From what I've seen of Ms. Tran—"

"I'm not playing games," Ashley interrupted firmly, clutching the envelope. "You, of all people, should know I'm not that kind of person."

Natalie stood, resting her hands on the desk. "You weren't," she admitted. "But after we broke up, you started bouncing from one hookup to another. Ash, you've changed."

Ashley let out a dry laugh, shaking her head. "People evolve, Nat. I wasn't committed to anyone back then. Everything was casual and with boundaries." She turned to leave. "I'm not that person anymore."

Natalie softened, giving her a small smile. "Well, I hope you're serious about this. For both your sakes. And for what it's worth... I'm happy for you."

Ashley hesitated, biting her lip. "Thanks, I guess. Just—don't go blabbing to everyone, okay?"

Natalie scoffed, waving her off. "Relax. I'm nosy, not a gossip. Now get out of here."

Ashley chuckled, shaking her head as she walked out. She made her way toward her Jeep, still replaying the conversation in her mind. Am I really dating Mia? Wait, she said I'm hers. Does that mean—

Her thoughts were interrupted by someone draping an arm around her shoulder. "Ash!" Gabriela's familiar voice broke through her daze.

"Gabi," Ashley mumbled, blinking as she glanced between Gabriela and the Jeep parked ahead.

"It's been a while, Detective Amosa!" Gabriela grinned, keeping pace with her. "Busy with cases, huh?"

Ashley sighed, lifting the envelope. "Yeah, just got another one. No rest for the weary."

Gabriela chuckled. "Speaking of rest, are you free this Saturday? Maybe we could—"

"She's not." The sharp yet melodic voice of Mia cut through. Both women turned to see Mia leaning against the passenger door of Ashley's Jeep, arms crossed.

Gabriela's eyes widened. "Wait, aren't you Mia Tran? The actress?"

Mia nodded, her gaze fixed on Gabriela. "That's me. And Detective Ashley here is busy this Saturday—she'll be with me." Her tone was pleasant, but her smile didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Oh, right!" Gabriela laughed awkwardly. "Bodyguard duty, huh?"

"Something like that," Mia replied with a dismissive wave.

Gabriela backed off, her smile faltering slightly. "Well, see you around, Detective!" she called, jogging away.

Ashley watched her leave, then turned to Mia with a bewildered look. "What just happened?"

Mia shrugged, pointing at Ashley. "Come with me this Saturday, okay? It's Sienna and Riley's twins' birthday," she said casually.

Ashley raised an eyebrow, opening the passenger door for Mia. "Am I even allowed? I mean, I'm not exactly invited," she said, tilting her head as Mia slid into the seat.

Mia shot her a glare. "Are you seriously not coming with me?" she asked, rolling her eyes. "Riley told me to bring you, so you're coming. End of discussion."

Ashley laughed, shutting the door before jogging to the driver's side. She slipped inside, still grinning. "I don't know, Mia. I'm not exactly close with Riley—"

"You're coming with me," Mia interrupted firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument. She crossed her arms and stared Ashley down. "And haven't I already made myself clear?"

Ashley's breath caught. "Right. You said I'm yours and you're mine... does that mean—"

"It is what it is, detective," Mia said with a sly chuckle, cutting her off. "Stop overthinking it."



Mia leaned her hands on the dining table, shutting her eyes as she tried to memorize her lines. Frustrated, she smacked her forehead and let out a sigh. Picking up her cup, she stirred the hot milk before taking a sip.

"Still up, working on your lines?" Ashley asked, glancing at the script in Mia's hand.

Mia nodded, setting the cup down and meeting Ashley's gaze. "I've been trying to visualize this part," she said, pointing to a specific section. "I'm not sure I can pull it off. And it's not like I'm actually doing this with Mei," she added, nervously biting her thumb.

Ashley leaned back against the dining table, crossing her arms. "You're really giving your all to this role, huh?" she chuckled, her eyes soft with admiration.

"Sorry," Mia muttered, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm just used to giving my best in acting. It's like—"

Ashley interrupted with a laugh. "Why would you apologize? It's your passion. Just go for it and put your heart into it."

Mia paused, turning fully to face her. "Aren't you going to ask me to stop? I mean, we're at home. Isn't it—"

"Is that what your ex-husband used to say?" Ashley asked, her voice steady but pointed. "I'm not him, Ms. Tran," she added with a laugh. "And may I remind you, I'm way too old to be making a scene over something like this. You love your work, and I'd never stand in the way of that."

Mia laughed, her shoulders relaxing. "I thought you said you weren't a day over thirty?"

"I said I don't look a day over thirty," Ashley teased, pointing at the script. "This? This is different, sugarplum. Work on it all you want—just don't forget to rest."

Mia's face turned a faint shade of pink as she mumbled, "I'm struggling with this scene." She glanced at her script again. "Mei and I tried earlier, but I just couldn't get it right. It's... um... awkward because of me."

Ashley tilted her head, studying Mia. "Do you want us to try it?"

Mia blinked, staring at her. "What?"

Ashley smirked, shrugging. "You said you couldn't nail the scene. I'm offering to help."

"That's a love scene, Ashley!" Mia hissed, her face now fully flushed.

"I know," Ashley said with a laugh. "I read the script last night. I can pull it off—if you're up for it." She wiggled her eyebrows teasingly.

"Oh my gosh," Mia groaned, covering her face with her hands. "Why are we even talking about this?"

Ashley chuckled and stepped closer, placing her hands on the table to cage Mia in.

Mia peeked through her fingers, glancing at the space between Ashley's arms. "What are you—?" she mumbled, gulping as her eyes darted up to meet Ashley's.

"Not because your wounds are healing, you think you can—mmph!" Mia's words were cut off as Ashley leaned down and kissed her.

Mia's hands clutched the edge of the table as Ashley's lips moved gently against hers, guiding her into something unfamiliar but electric. Ashley pulled back slightly, tilting Mia's chin with her fingers before pressing their lips together again, her thumb lightly caressing Mia's cheek.

Mia's breath hitched as her hands found their way around Ashley's neck. She tiptoed, pressing closer. Ashley's arms wrapped firmly around Mia's waist, pulling her up and steadying her.

Ashley nipped Mia's lower lip, earning a soft gasp. Taking it as an invitation, she deepened the kiss, sliding her tongue into Mia's mouth.

"Wait—your wound," Mia whispered between shallow breaths, her face flushed as she clung to Ashley.

"I'm fine," Ashley murmured before capturing her lips again, her voice low and reassuring.

As if surrendering to the moment, Mia let go of her hesitation. Ashley lifted her effortlessly, carrying her toward the bedroom without breaking their kiss. The door clicked shut behind them as Ashley moved toward the bed, gently lowering Mia onto the mattress.

Mia's breath hitched as she felt Ashley's body pressing against hers, warmth spreading through her as Ashley hovered above her, their lips meeting again in an unrelenting rhythm.