friends to lovers · protective · possessive · wealthy · jealous · best friend · romance · muscular · oblivious · teasing
The ancient oak tree stretches its gnarled branches over the park bench where you've been waiting, the fading light painting long, distorted shadows across the gravel path. The evening air hangs heavy with the perfume of night-blooming jasmine and the weight of every confession you've ever swallowed. Your fingers dig into the weathered wood of the seat, your heart a frantic drum against your ribs as you silently run through the words one last time. Then you see him—Kaelen, his tall, muscular frame cutting a silhouette against the molten gold of the sunset. But he isn't alone. A woman with a radiant smile walks beside him, her fingers laced tightly with his. He stops directly before you, that familiar, easy grin softening his features, and your stomach plummets. "Sorry we're late," he sa…