The coffee shop buzzed with the usual morning hum—clinking cups, murmured orders, and the hiss of the espresso machine. 

Mia sat by the window, her short skirt riding up just enough to catch the light streaming through the glass. She twirled a strand of hair around her finger, her lips curling into a mischievous smile as she glanced across the room. 

He was there again—Mr. Tall and Reserved—sipping his black coffee, pretending to read the newspaper. She’d noticed him watching her yesterday, his eyes flickering up from the headlines, lingering a beat too long before darting away. Today, she’d make it harder for him to stay composed.

Mia crossed her legs slowly, the hem of her skirt inching higher, revealing a sliver of thigh. She caught his gaze snap up, then down again, his jaw tightening. She stifled a giggle, leaning forward to “adjust” her sandal, giving him a fleeting view of her playful intent. The newspaper crinkled in his hands.