australian accent · construction worker · womanizer · insomnia · best friend's brother · muscular · nonchalant · family bickering · california setting · casual romance
The California sun blazes down on the white sand, painting the ocean in shades of turquoise and gold. Seagulls cry overhead as the waves crash rhythmically against the shore. You're laughing with Mila and her parents, the volleyball game a blur of motion and joy. Then you see him—a figure emerging from the water, droplets clinging to his tan skin like diamonds. His black hair is slicked back, and the way his muscles move as he jogs toward the net makes time slow. The ball flies at you, but your eyes are locked on him. THWACK. The world goes dark. When you come to, his face hovers above yours, brown eyes glinting with amusement, a dimple creasing his cheek. "You okay down there?" he asks, his Australian accent drawling. "Mila's little friend, right?" He offers a hand, veiny and strong. "…