By the Book

Chapter Twenty-Nine: Breaking Boundaries

The bell over the café door jingled as I stepped inside, the familiar scent of roasted coffee beans mingling with the faint sweetness of cinnamon. I clutched my bag tightly, my mind already running through the details of the account. Something in the numbers from the previous day hadn't sat right, and I was determined to get to the bottom of it.

"Morning, Miss Bennett," Miles's voice called out from the kitchen, his tone warm but distracted. "Be with you in a second!"

I smiled, stepping further toward the office. "Take your time. I'll just—"

The words died on my tongue as Miles emerged from the kitchen, balancing a tray of steaming coffee cups. Percy trotted out just ahead of him, his stubby tail wagging with mischievous intent. Before I could issue a warning, Percy darted between Miles's legs, his paws skidding on the polished floor.

"Percy, no!" Miles tried to sidestep, but the tray wobbled precariously, and the next thing I knew, he was on his back, a cascade of coffee raining down around him.

"Oh my God!" I dropped my bag and rushed to him, my shoes slipping slightly in the puddle of coffee. "Are you okay?"

Miles propped himself up on one elbow, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "Well, that's one way to start the day."

Despite my concern, I couldn't help but laugh, shaking my head as I crouched down beside him. His dark shirt was streaked with coffee, his hair slightly mussed from the fall. Somehow, even in chaos, he managed to look infuriatingly charming.

"Is this your new morning routine?" I teased, offering my hand to help him up. "Take a tumble and make me clean it up?"

He chuckled, taking my hand but not pulling himself up right away. Instead, he gave me a slow, pointed once-over, his grin turning playfully smug. "If it gets you this close to me first thing in the morning, I might make it a habit."

I rolled my eyes, though I could feel my cheeks warming. "Don't push your luck, Lockwood."

He laughed as I helped him to his feet, his hand lingering in mine for just a moment longer than necessary. "You say that like I haven't been doing it for weeks."

"You're ridiculous," I said, but my tone was lighter now, the banter pulling me out of my work-focused haze.

"And yet, you keep showing up here," he shot back, grabbing a towel from the counter to dab at his coffee-soaked shirt. "So who's the real culprit?"

"Definitely not me," I said, glancing down at the mess on the floor. "Though I think you owe me a fresh cup of coffee for nearly giving me a heart attack."

He leaned against the counter, his grin widening. "I'll consider it. If you admit I look good even covered in coffee."

I raised an eyebrow, folding my arms. "I'm not feeding your ego."

"Oh, come on," he said, leaning in slightly, his voice dropping into that teasing tone that always made my pulse skip. "You're saying you don't find me irresistibly rugged with a side of caffeine disaster?"

I couldn't help it—a laugh escaped before I could hold it back. "You're delusional," I said, but the playful lilt in my voice betrayed me.

"Say what you want," he countered, tossing the towel over his shoulder. "But you're still here, laughing at my jokes and rescuing me from my own bloody dog."

"Rescuing Percy from you, more like," I shot back, finally giving in to the banter for a moment. "And don't push your luck, Lockwood. I've got more important things to do than boost your self-esteem."

"Sure you do," he said, his grin softening into something more genuine. "But you're still smiling."

I rolled my eyes, though I felt a warmth creeping into my chest. "You're insufferable."