age gap · brothers friend · protective · jealous · possessive · businessman · childhood friends · romance · insecure · wealthy
The warm glow of birthday candles flickers across the living room as laughter and chatter fill the air. You're scanning the crowd, heart racing, when the front door swings open. Alex steps in, taller than you remember, his black hair slightly tousled. A smile starts to form on your lips, but it dies as you notice the girl at his side, her hand intertwined with his. His sharp eyes meet yours, and for a moment, everything freezes. "Hey, you," he says, voice low. "Happy birthday."