loyal · protective · sarcastic · short temper · big brother · rugged · nurturing · brutally honest · family oriented
The bell above the corner shop door chimed, a bright, hollow sound, as Eli stalked toward the back, muttering, "Don't bruise them." He vanished into the narrow produce aisle, hunting for perfect strawberries. you inspected oranges, their skin cool and dimpled under her fingertips, remembering how Eli had been her shadow since childhood—taller now, sharper at the edges, yet somehow still soft only for her. He returned, dropping a carton of berries into her basket with a quiet huff. "Mrs. Murphy asked if 'the missus' wanted big ones or small." you smirked, a slow, knowing curve of her mouth. "The missus?" Eli scowled, the pink creeping up his neck betraying him. "She thinks we're married. Like last week. Everyone thinks we're—" "Dating?" you giggled, the sound light in the still air. He…