lves lined with shimmering perfume bottles. After her latest story had taken the media by storm, she felt a rare sense of accomplishment, as tho

a stylish leather bag when she collided with someone. A flurry of item

th a hint of an accent she couldn't quite place. He crouched

shed leather shoes. His face was chiseled, his jawline sharp, and a few strands of dark hair fell charmingly o

ticed the slightly worn cover. "You don't see many people carrying these any

studying her. "Some things are better le

There was something in the way he looked at her, like he could see right through the walls she'd so c

she said, brushing off her sudden discom

e. And here's yours." He held out a small notebook she'd been c

ashing over her as she realized he could see her press badge cli

tone, almost as if he knew something she did

ously. "Though not always as glamorous as you'd th

as somehow both inviting and guarded. "I'd imagi

She wasn't sure if he was referring to the difficulties of her job or something more. "Do I

t you have that look about you,the kind of person who's seen

so easily? She prided herself on her professional demeanor, but

d cautiously. "You uncover things, some people d

for a lingering moment, almost as if he were weighing something.

grip, the slight warmth that linger

k, with a charm that felt carefully measured. "I'm afraid I

erous. She sensed he wasn't a typical stranger. But curiosity had always been h

ied, shrugging. "I ne

ans and baked pastries filled the air. As they settled in with their cups, Mia studied him, no

do you do?" she

wer was evasive, almost playful. "Let

ed, her brow arching. "Yo

ievous in his eyes. "And here I though

so like answers. You seem like

. "Don't we all? Besides, I'd wager you're n

ty he had to look right through her, as though he'd been wa

ady. "A hunch. Call it...

café. Mia found herself simultaneously drawn to and wary of him. This was a man

brings you to this department store, James? Surel

amusement. "You'd be surprised. Even

s. "Right. Just a

r leaving hers. "Let's just say I had a feeli

er suspicion growing. "Are you

. "But I'd be lying if I said I wa

ling that there was more to this encounter than h

ia. I've been keeping an eye on you,your recent work, that story you just exposed. It's imp

pliment, and they sent a chill down her

. "There are people who don't appreciate the truth coming to

old her ground. "I'm not afraid o

ween facing threats and knowing who's behind them. You're dealing with powerful

ia found herself wrestling with conflicting emotions. His

ou offering, James?

across the table. "Let's call it... a lifeline. If you ever find

ne number scrawled in elegant handwriting. No name

ic. "The only catch is th

t there was something about James,something that felt both dangerous and m

eyes fixed on hers. "Take care, Mia. And remember,some secrets a

his touch linger even as he released her.

inal nod, he turned and disappeared into the crowd, leaving Mia