By the Book

Chapter Twenty-Six: Believing in Impossible Things

The early morning light streamed through the large windows of my office, casting a warm glow on the polished wood of the desk as I shuffled through the final notes for the meeting. Chloe perched on the edge of the chair opposite me, her arms crossed as she tilted her head, studying me with an expression that could only be described as suspiciously amused.

"You're in a good mood this morning," she said, her voice laced with curiosity. "And that outfit..." She gestured vaguely at my tailored blazer and pencil skirt, both sharp and professional but with a pop of color in the form of a blush blouse beneath. "Very Miss Powerhouse Financial Advisor. What's the occasion?"

I looked up from the notes, arching a brow. "Since when is professionalism a cause for suspicion?"

Chloe smirked. "Since you've been humming under your breath and wearing that secret smile like you've got something to be excited about. Spill."

"There's nothing to spill," I said a little too quickly. I cleared my throat, keeping my tone even as I added, "I'm just focused on the meeting. It's important."

"Hm." Chloe leaned back in her chair, her grin widening. "And does this focus have anything to do with the text you were grinning at earlier?"

Heat crept up my neck as I glanced down at the notes, suddenly very interested in aligning them into a perfect stack. "It was just Miles. He's... looking forward to the meeting."

"Uh-huh," Chloe repeated, drawing out the syllables. "I'm sure that's all it was. Nothing about how he called you Miss Bennett or how you're clearly glowing?"

I glared at her, though the corners of my mouth betrayed me by twitching upward. "He's a client, Chloe."

"And I'm a psychic," she shot back, not missing a beat. "Come on, Kara. You're practically floating today. You can't tell me he doesn't have something to do with it."

I sighed, leaning back in my chair and allowing myself the briefest moment of indulgence as the memory of his text replayed in my mind:

Looking forward to the meeting, Miss Bennett. Though I must say, I'm more Darcy than Bingley these days. Let's see if we can charm the landlord together.

It had been playful and entirely too effective at derailing my concentration. The memory of it still brought a smile to my lips, even as I tried to shove it aside.

"It's just... Miles has been..." I trailed off, searching for the right words. "He's been nice. Steady. Helpful."

"And?" Chloe prompted, her grin turning wicked.

"And that's it," I said firmly, straightening my posture and reclaiming my professional tone. "He's a client. And this meeting is about him, not me. So let's focus, shall we?"

Chloe held up her hands in mock surrender, though the knowing twinkle in her eye didn't fade. "Fine, boss. But if he walks in here and you start blushing, I'm taking notes."

I rolled my eyes, though her teasing left a faint warmth in my chest. As Chloe left to print the updated agenda, I allowed myself one last fleeting thought about the week leading up to today.

It had been small things—shared moments that seemed insignificant on the surface but left an indelible mark. Miles stopping by the café counter to hand me a freshly brewed coffee when I worked late at the office. His quiet but steady presence during our brief planning meetings, his teasing comments lightening the weight of the preparation. Even his text last night—a simple See you tomorrow. We've got this.—had lingered in my mind long after I'd set my phone down.

They weren't grand gestures, but they didn't need to be. They were... Miles. Solid, dependable, and entirely too good at making me feel like I wasn't carrying everything alone.