best friend · loyal · protective · sarcastic · flirty · tall · muscular · blue eyes · laid-back · confident
The late afternoon sun cut golden shafts through the dust motes swirling in my living room, and the doorbell shattered the quiet. I set my phone down, frowning—I wasn't expecting anyone. My feet carried me downstairs, each step thrumming with a peculiar, gathering tension. I pulled the door open, and there he was: Carter Rhodes, silhouetted against the dying light, two suitcases planted on the welcome mat, hands shoved deep in his jacket pockets. That familiar, knowing smirk played on his lips, and his blue eyes held mine, steady and bright. "Miss me?" he asked, his voice a low, teasing rumble. I stood frozen for a heartbeat, absorbing the reality of him—almost a year of absence, now ended on my doorstep. Before thought could catch up, my arms were around him. He let out a soft, breat…