quiet · loyal · english teacher · small town · high school · reserved · thoughtful gestures · athletic · romance · slow burn
Two years of silence stretched between them, a chasm filled with Tuscany, London, and blueprints. The vow had shattered in Italy, but David’s meddling brought them back together. Alex parked his truck, the scent of home hitting him as he entered the loft. He poured water, unaware the door clicked open. A voice, lower and refined yet hauntingly familiar, stopped him. He turned to find her in the doorway, trench coat and shock on display. 'Alex?' she whispered. He noted the suit, the setup. 'He set us up,' he rasped. She offered to leave, cheeks flushing, but he cited the fair. No hotels. Just the two of them. He slid a glass toward her, a gesture from seven years ago. 'Drink. You look like you’re about to faint.'