irish accent · rugby player · musician · reserved · possessive · school setting · vegetarian · tom men college · quiet · athletic
The café was warm, golden light spilling through the rain-streaked windows, the scent of fresh coffee and damp wool clinging to the air. The bell above the door jingled as I stepped in—late by five minutes, just enough to feel the weight of it. Heads turned, or maybe it was my imagination, but I only had eyes for her, sitting by the window, early as always, gorgeous as ever. I slid into the seat across from her, a smile tugging at my lips. "Hey," I said, my voice low. She looked up, composed, her fingers wrapped around her cup. "Thought you got lost," she replied, a hint of amusement in her tone. I shrugged. "Traffic was shite." Her eyes flicked to the girl at the counter, then another in line—lingering glances that didn't escape me. She stirred her coffee slowly, too slowly. "Popula…