The Unwelcome Affair

A Morning Jog and Nighttime Shenanigans

The Park Encounter

The early morning sun cast a soft golden glow over the park as Amelia jogged along the familiar path. The rhythmic sound of her feet hitting the pavement was soothing, a welcome escape from the swirling thoughts that had kept her up all night.

Just as she rounded a corner, she spotted Lucas Reynolds leaning casually against a tree, his athletic attire suggesting he’d been out for a run as well.

“Morning, Doc,” Lucas called out with a grin as she slowed her pace to approach him.

“Lucas? What are you doing here?” Amelia asked, her brow furrowing slightly, though she couldn’t help but smile at his easygoing demeanor.

“Same thing as you—getting in some exercise before the day gets too crazy.” He fell into step beside her as she resumed her jog, his long strides effortlessly keeping pace with hers. “But I’ve got to say, running into you is a nice surprise.”

Amelia chuckled, trying to ignore the slight flutter in her chest. “Well, the park is big enough for both of us.”

“True,” Lucas replied, his tone suddenly shifting to something more serious. “But you know, running alone in the early morning can be dangerous. You never know who might be lurking around.”

Amelia rolled her eyes, catching the teasing glint in his eye. “If you’re trying to scare me, it’s not working.”

Lucas smirked. “Not trying to scare you, just looking out for you. Someone has to, especially with Harrison always being so... distracted.”

There was a hint of something more in his voice—an underlying suggestion that made Amelia glance at him curiously. “I can take care of myself, Lucas. And Harrison... well, he has his reasons.”

“Sure he does,” Lucas replied, his tone lightening again. “But if you ever need someone who’s a little less... complicated, you know where to find me.”

Amelia laughed, brushing off his flirtation as they continued jogging side by side.

Despite his playful demeanor, there was a part of her that couldn’t ignore the way he seemed to be subtly testing the waters, gauging her reaction. And as much as she enjoyed their banter, there was always a part of her that remained guarded around Lucas—especially now.

Getting Ready for the Night Out

Later that evening, Amelia stood in front of her bedroom mirror, evaluating her reflection with a critical eye.

She had chosen a sleek, midnight-blue dress that hugged her curves in all the right places.

The dress was elegant yet daring, with a plunging neckline and a thigh-high slit that hinted at a playful side she didn’t often show. She let her hair fall in loose waves over her shoulders, adding just a touch of makeup to accentuate her features.

As she slipped on her heels, she heard a knock on her door. “Come in,” she called out, knowing who it was.

Harrison stepped inside, and the moment his eyes landed on her, he froze. His usual composed expression faltered as his gaze slowly traveled down her body, taking in every detail of her outfit. Amelia felt a surge of satisfaction at the way his breath seemed to catch, but she played it cool, pretending not to notice.

“Wow... You’re... you look...” Harrison stammered, his voice unusually low.

“Thanks,” Amelia replied with a mischievous smile. “I figured I should dress the part if we’re going undercover at a nightclub.”