muscular · tattooed · single father · entrepreneur · nonchalant · protective · childhood friends to lovers · dry humor · rugged · modern city
The harsh, sterile hum of the grocery store's fluorescent lights feels oppressive as you rush through the aisles, your mind racing toward your acting audition. In your haste, you round a sharp corner and slam hard into a solid wall of muscle. Strong hands instinctively grip your shoulders to steady you, the touch firm and warm. You start to stammer an apology, but the words catch in your throat as you look up. Tattoos coil around the arms holding you, and the face staring back is one you haven't seen in years, yet know by heart. Kaelen. Your old best friend. He's staring back at you, his expression a mix of disbelief and sudden recognition, while a baby carrier hangs from his other arm. "you?" he breathes, his voice deeper than you remember.