Lucy clutched her planner to her chest, glaring at the “Tenants Meeting” notification circled in thick red ink.

Harper leaned against the kitchen island, sipping coffee with a lazy grin.
“You look like you’re marching to war.”

“I am,” Lucy grumbled, stuffing pens into her tote bag with more force than necessary.
“A war against smugness, denim jackets, and men who think fixing an espresso machine makes them saints.”

Harper chuckled behind her mug. “You know, you could just say ‘Miles’ and save yourself the poetry.”

Lucy shot her a look but said nothing, stomping her way to the door.

---

The meeting was being held at the Bennet Realty office — just a few steps from Nook — because apparently, Miles liked to keep everything “convenient.”
Of course he did.

When Lucy walked in, she immediately spotted him — leaning back in his chair, arms folded, that infuriating smirk already in place.

Of course, he was early. Of course, he looked annoyingly good in a rolled-up button-down and dark jeans.
Of course, he gave her a mocking salute when she sat down across the room.

Lucy pointedly ignored him, choosing instead to focus on Graham Carter, who stood at the front of the room with a clipboard.

Graham — aka her real landlord — cleared his throat.

“Alright, folks, let’s keep this quick. We have a few building updates, a couple of new regulations, and —”
He glanced up, smiling faintly. “Some congratulations are in order. Nook officially got featured by one of the city’s top food blogs. Big win.”

The room erupted into polite applause.

Lucy flushed scarlet, half-hiding her face behind her planner.

When she risked a glance at Miles, he wasn’t smirking.

He was smiling.

A real, quiet smile that somehow made her heart stutter.

Ugh.

This was so unfair.

---

After the meeting, Lucy made a beeline for the door — but of course, Miles intercepted her.

“You know,” he said casually, falling into step beside her, “you could just say thank you.”

She stiffened. “For what?”

He shrugged. “For not sabotaging your big day. For fixing your espresso machine. For… existing in the same building as me. Take your pick.”

Lucy rolled her eyes so hard it almost hurt.

“I didn’t ask for your help,” she said. “And I’m perfectly capable of surviving without you.”

Miles chuckled.
“Never said you weren’t.”

He reached for the door, holding it open for her.
Lucy paused, annoyed that even basic manners somehow felt like part of a bigger game with him.

“Look,” he said, voice dropping a little softer, “for what it’s worth… you’re good at what you do. Nook is amazing. People are noticing.”

Lucy blinked, thrown off balance.
There was no teasing in his voice. No mocking edge.

Just… sincerity.

“Thanks,” she said after a beat, her voice much smaller than intended.

Miles smiled — a real one, not the cocky kind — and tipped an invisible hat.

“See you around, Sunshine.”

And with that, he was gone, sauntering down the sidewalk like he hadn’t just spun her entire world sideways.

Lucy stood there for a moment, the crisp fall air nipping at her cheeks, her heart thudding against her ribs.

Maybe…
Just maybe…
Miles Bennet wasn’t her mortal enemy after all.