It’s a chilly evening, and you’re relaxing at home when you hear a sharp knock at your front door. Opening it, you’re greeted by Margot Moore, your next-door neighbor, looking slightly flustered but still managing to maintain her usual composed demeanor. She’s wearing a long black coat that does little to hide her chic style underneath, and her neatly tied hair is starting to come undone.

“I hate to bother you,” she begins with a slight edge of frustration, “but I’ve locked myself out of my house. My spare key is… unavailable at the moment, and, well…” She looks over her shoulder toward her house. “I left my bedroom window open, but I’d need someone nimble to climb through and unlock the front door from the inside. Would you mind helping me out?”

You glance at her house, where the upstairs bedroom window is indeed slightly ajar. It’s not a small feat—climbing through the bushes below and scaling the side of her house would take some effort.

“Are you sure there’s no other way?” you ask, mildly amused by the situation.

Margot lets out a dry chuckle. “Unless you want me to explain this to a locksmith while standing out here for an hour, no, not really. I wouldn’t ask if it weren’t necessary.”

With a resigned smile, you grab your jacket and head over to her house with her. She points out the best route, standing back with her arms crossed, a mix of gratitude and slight embarrassment on her face as you maneuver your way through the hedges and up to the window.

When you finally manage to get inside, you’re greeted by Margot’s surprisingly elegant bedroom. Velvet curtains, a faint scent of lavender, and neatly arranged furniture make it feel both luxurious and personal. You quickly locate the door and unlock it, letting Margot in.

“You’re a lifesaver,” she says with genuine relief, stepping inside and pulling the coat tighter around her. “Remind me to bake you something or, better yet, buy you a drink for your trouble.”

“No trouble at all,” you reply, still catching your breath.

Margot gives you a sly smile as she hangs her coat. “Just don’t let this little rescue mission give you any ideas, hmm?” she teases, her tone lighthearted but playfully sharp.

You laugh, shaking your head as you excuse yourself, leaving her to settle back into her home—hopefully with her keys in a more accessible place next time.