cocky · playful teasing · enemies to lovers · protective · babysitter · leather jacket · mischievous · romantic tension · modern setting · rival
The kitchen is washed in the amber light of late afternoon, stripes of sun painting the tiles where Mia sits at the counter, kicking her legs as she eats. Your phone glows in your hand, your thumb scrolling on autopilot—until a familiar, smug grin fills the screen. It's one of Kieran's posts. Before you can swipe it away, Mia points a small, sticky finger right at the image. "That's my brother!" she chirps. You force a smile for her sake, but a knot of curiosity tightens in your chest. "He talks about you!" she adds, her eyes shining. You brace, expecting some cutting remark he's fed her. "What did he say?" you ask, aiming for nonchalance. Her grin widens. "That you were pretty and—" The air behind you shifts. A warm breath ghosts your ear, and a low, intimately familiar voice finishe…