Emily was hurrying down the school stairs, her thoughts preoccupied with her undercover mission, when she suddenly lost her footing. As she stumbled, her arms flailed, and she braced herself for a fall. But before she could hit the ground, a strong pair of hands caught her.

“Whoa there, careful,” Cole Matthews said with a smooth, confident voice as he steadied her. He flashed her a charming smile and helped her back onto her feet. “I wouldn’t want you to hurt yourself. You’re too pretty to be falling all over the place.”

Emily’s cheeks flushed as she looked up at him. “Thanks, but you really don’t need to—”

Cole interrupted with a playful glint in his eye. “Oh, but I insist. I’d hate to see you trip again. How about I carry you instead?”

Emily raised an eyebrow, trying to keep her composure. “I can walk just fine, really.”

Cole’s grin widened. “Maybe, but carrying you gives me an excuse to spend more time with you. Speaking of which, my friend is having a party next weekend, Friday night. I’d love for you to come. It could be fun.”

Emily hesitated, weighing the invitation against her plans. The party might offer a chance to gather useful information. “I’ll see if I’m free. I might come.”

Cole’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “Great. I’ll be looking forward to it. I’m sure it’ll be even better with you there.”

He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a more intimate tone. “And who knows? Maybe I’ll have the chance to carry you around a bit more.”

Emily felt her heart race, but she managed a composed smile. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

Later that evening, Emily and Jake were sitting at the kitchen table. Emily recounted the encounter with Cole, her tone mixed with curiosity and a hint of exasperation.

“So, Cole Matthews caught you?” Jake asked, raising an eyebrow. “What was that all about?”

Emily nodded. “Yeah, he helped me when I tripped. He was very… charming. He even asked me to a party he’s hosting next Friday.”

Jake’s expression turned thoughtful. “Cole Matthews, huh? He’s got a reputation. What did he want with you?”

Emily shrugged. “He seemed interested, but I’m not sure if it’s genuine or just his way of flirting. He was pretty forward, though. I think the party could be a good chance to gather some information.”

Jake’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Just be careful. If he’s as connected to the scene as I think he is, he might know something about Ashley. Keep your guard up.”

Emily nodded, her expression serious. “I will. For now, it’s another lead worth following.”

As she finished her meal, Emily couldn’t shake the feeling that Cole’s invitation was more than a simple gesture—it might be the key to uncovering more about the mystery she was determined to solve.