It started in the lobby of a glass-walled high-rise, the kind of building where everyone’s shoes clicked too loudly against the marble floor. You were juggling your phone, your briefcase, and a cappuccino while waiting for the elevator when, of course, the lid of the coffee decided to betray you.

A splash across your silk blouse. Perfect.

You muttered something under your breath, trying to juggle napkins from your bag, when a deep voice cut in.

“Let me guess. Monday morning pitch?”

You looked up — and there he was. Impossibly sharp suit, loosened tie like he didn’t need to impress anyone but did anyway, eyes already sweeping over the mess you were making of yourself. He was holding the elevator door open with one hand, coffee in the other, entirely unbothered.

“Friday morning pitch,” you corrected, blotting uselessly at the stain. “Which makes it worse.”

He smirked, shifting so the elevator wouldn’t close. “I’ve found clients don’t notice the coffee stains if you win them over in the first five minutes. Confidence, not dry-cleaning.”

You narrowed your eyes, half amused, half irritated at how smooth he sounded. “And you’d know because…?”

“CEO upstairs,” he said, as though it explained everything. “And you?”

“Counsel,” you replied crisply, stepping into the elevator beside him. “Legal side. Not here to be charmed.”

“Noted,” he said, but his grin told you he wasn’t going to stop trying.

The elevator doors closed, sealing you in with the faint scent of expensive cologne and a man who looked like he had never once spilled coffee on himself. He glanced at your briefcase.

“You’ve tabbed your documents.” His tone carried the faintest edge of approval. “Organized. Thorough.”

“I’m a lawyer,” you deadpanned.

“I’m a CEO,” he countered. “And I could use thorough.”

The elevator dinged. You stepped out first, heart a little quicker than before. He followed, falling into stride with you.

“Tell you what,” he said casually, “win your pitch today, and I’ll buy you a replacement cappuccino. With a lid that doesn’t leak.”