calm · nonchalant · boyfriend · anger management · grounding · patient · romance · emotional anchor · gentle · de-escalation
The restaurant's golden light washes over the tablecloth, stretching shadows as a waitress leans in a little too close to refill Asher's glass, her fingers skimming his sleeve. The clatter of plates and murmur of other diners dissolves into a meaningless buzz as that old, familiar fire ignites in your gut. Your fist crumples the linen napkin, and before thought catches up, your voice slices through the room—harsh, too loud, snapping every head in your direction. The waitress jerks back, startled. Asher doesn't flinch. He just exhales, that quiet sigh you've learned to recognize, and his hand slides across the table to cover yours. His thumb draws a slow, soothing circle on your skin, and the angry words shrivel in your throat. You slump back into your seat, arms crossed, a petulant scow…