(Lucy — Six Weeks Later)

Lucy Mitchell wasn’t normally a vengeful person.
But six weeks of stewing in humiliation tended to change a woman.

She still couldn’t say the name “Miles Bennet” without her eye twitching.

Not that it mattered anymore. She had a new plan. A better one.

Thanks to her sister’s connections — and a last-minute miracle — Lucy had secured a tiny storefront right in the heart of downtown.
Not her dream space, sure.
But it was charming, affordable, and hers.

Finally.
A fresh start.
A real shot at building her catering empire, starting small.

The morning sun gleamed off the windows as she pulled up, heart thudding with excitement.
Today was move-in day.

Lucy hopped out of the van, clutching her keys, a clipboard, and the first box of kitchen supplies.

And that’s when she saw it.

Him.

Miles Bennet.

Stepping out of the building next door.
Coffee in one hand. Phone in the other.
Looking far too smug, polished, and annoyingly handsome for someone she fully intended to ignore for the rest of her life.

Lucy froze mid-step, mouth falling open.

No.
No no no.

There had to be some mistake.

Her sister hadn’t said anything about Miles Freaking Bennet being her new next-door neighbor.

He looked up casually—and then his gaze snagged on her.

For a moment, confusion flashed across his face. Then recognition.
Followed by something that looked suspiciously like horror.

Lucy tightened her grip on the box.

Miles lowered his coffee cup slowly, like she was a bomb about to go off.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” he muttered.

Lucy drew herself up to full height. (Which, to be fair, was still about a foot shorter than his irritatingly tall frame.)

“Trust me,” she said sweetly, “the feeling is mutual.”

They stood there, staring at each other across the narrow sidewalk.

One minute into her fresh start, and already she wanted to strangle someone.

Fantastic.

Miles shook his head, like he couldn’t quite believe the universe hated him this much.
“Don’t tell me you’re setting up shop here.“

Lucy smiled brightly. “Yup. Right here.”

He groaned under his breath and rubbed a hand down his face.
“Unbelievable.”

“You can always move,” she chirped, sweeping past him toward her new front door.

“Funny,” he called after her dryly. “I was here first, sunshine.”

Lucy didn’t look back.

She had a business to build.

And if the universe wanted to throw a petty, smug, frustrating roadblock in her way?
Fine.

Bring it on.