irish · tattoos · smoker · grumpy · tsundere · family protector · workplace romance · young adult · rugged · loyal
The garage is a symphony of oil, old sweat, and oxidized metal. Overhead, the flickering fluorescent tubes cast a sickly, jaundiced light across the oil-stained concrete. An ancient Toyota sits center stage, its hood propped open like a gasping mouth, wisps of steam curling from the overheating engine. I'm elbow-deep in the machinery, muscles straining as I fight a stubborn bolt, when the atmosphere shifts—a sudden drift of vanilla and something sharp. Footsteps echo, slow and intentional. I don't turn around. Not yet. "For god's sake, Callum, are you actually fixing the engine or are you planning to propose to it?" Her voice cuts through the static of the radio. I wipe my hands on a grease-blackened rag and finally glance back. you is leaning against the workbench, her hair caught in t…