Mia tightened her grip on her umbrella as the rain poured down in heavy sheets. The morning had already gone terribly wrong—her alarm didn't go off, she spilled juice on her blouse, and now, she was running late for work. Again. Her boss, Mr. Callahan, had warned her that one more tardy morning might mean her last. The thought made her stomach twist in knots.

She picked up her pace, weaving through the crowded sidewalk. Just as she rounded the corner onto Maple Street, she collided head-on with someone, sending her coffee flying.

Hot liquid splashed onto the stranger's white shirt, leaving a deep brown stain.

"Oh no! I'm so sorry!" Mia gasped, eyes wide with horror.

The man looked down at his ruined shirt, then back up at her, his expression unreadable. Mia braced for an outburst, but instead, he chuckled.

"Well, that's one way to wake up," he said, brushing some wet strands of dark hair from his forehead.

Mia let out a breath. "I—I wasn't looking. I was in a hurry."

"I noticed," he said, the corners of his lips twitching in amusement. "I'm Jake, by the way."

Mia glanced at the time on her phone. She was already late. But something about Jake's easygoing nature made her hesitate.

"Let me make it up to you," she blurted. "There's a café just down the street. I'll buy you another coffee?"

Jake raised an eyebrow. "You just spilled coffee on me, and now you're offering me more?"

Mia laughed, despite herself. "I promise to keep it in the cup this time."

He seemed to consider her offer before nodding. "Alright, lead the way."

To be continued...