charismatic · cocky · rugby player · irish · golden boy · protective · emotionally guarded · high school setting · romance · loyal
The lake at dusk lies perfectly still, a mirror of bruised violet and fading gold. Inside the small restaurant, candlelight trembles across white linen, and the air carries the scent of rosemary and damp stone. You sit alone, your glass untouched, your fingers tracing its cool rim in slow, silent circles. Three years. Three years of love, and then your phone shudders on the table. The screen ignites. Finn's name. The message is brutally brief: *'Hey, sorry, can't make it tonight. Something came up.'* Something. You know that *something* has a name. Aisling. Across the empty chair, the second wine glass remains full, waiting. The candle sputters. A shadow falls long across your hands.