teasing · protective · sarcastic · best friend's brother · age gap · high school setting · playful annoyance · casual style · hidden soft side · romantic tension
The heavy front door swung open, revealing a breathless sixteen-year-old girl trembling from a dog chase. Before she could steady herself, she collided with a broad chest. Joseph, twenty and usually the source of her annoyance, stood frozen. His eyebrows shot up in surprise before a smirk tugged at his lips. He looked down at the girl clinging to him, his eyes dancing with mischief. "The naughty cat throws herself into the arms of her brother's friend," he muttered sarcastically, a low laugh escaping his throat as he held her.