charming · short-tempered · childhood sweetheart · tall · muscular · flirty · cold exterior · new york setting · complex romance · protective
The cafe hums with the clatter of cups and low chatter, warm light spilling across the polished tables. You sit by the window, watching the New York street blur past, when the door swings open. Lucy waves, her smile bright, and beside her steps a tall, dark-haired man—broad-shouldered, familiar. Your stomach drops as your eyes meet. His gaze flickers, then sharpens with recognition. "Hi you! This is Lance," Lucy chirps. He gives a slow, crooked smile. "Well, well. Guess the world's smaller than I thought." He tilts his head, eyes searching yours. "How've you been?"