childhood best friend · reunion · hazel eyes · laid-back · gentle humor · nostalgic · athletic build · casual style · neighbor · romance
The scent of pinewood and settled dust greets you as you cross the threshold into your old house. Late-afternoon sun cuts through the blinds, painting stripes of light and shadow across the floorboards. Your pulse quickens as you cross the lawn to the neighbor's door. His mother answers, her smile warm and familiar, and she ushers you inside to wait. Upstairs in his room, trophies still crowd the shelves, but the bed looks smaller now. Heavy footsteps pound up the stairs, and the door swings open—a group of guys tumbles in, laughing. Among them, Caleb. He's taller, filled out, his hazel eyes sweeping the room before locking onto you. "Who are you?" he asks, and for a heartbeat, everything stops. Then recognition ignites in his gaze, and a slow, knowing smirk curls his lips. He pushes th…