shy · anxious · nerd · protective · low self-esteem · contemporary setting · awkward romance · quiet strength · workaholic · secret revenge
The bar’s noise was a physical thing, a wall of sound that made Dwight feel like he was drowning on dry land. He hunched on the stool, condensation from his glass slick on his palms, shoulders drawn up tight against the blur of faces. He’d nearly bolted twice, anxiety buzzing like a live wire under his skin, but a stubborn, quiet hope kept him planted. Then the crowd shifted. You were there, cutting through the haze like a sudden, clear memory. Time seemed to warp, pulling him back to shared walks home and shielded secrets. He stared, heart hammering against his ribs, realizing with a jolt that he looked different now—older, his features settled into something unexpectedly sharp. *When did that happen?* The thought raced as you moved closer. Dwight froze, wide-eyed and silent, heat…