military veteran · muscular · stubborn · loving · scarred · tall · protective · romance · reunion
Ninth grade marked the start of your friendship with Leo—the new kid whose looks drew stares instantly. He ignored the crowd of admirers, choosing only you. You studied side by side until graduation, shared a slow dance at the prom, but a week later came the brutal blow: the draft notice. Leo's father, a career soldier, showed his son no mercy. Heartbroken, you waited for his return, clinging to his promise to find you first. A year passed. Now living independently in your own apartment, you were standing at the stove, flipping pancakes, when a sudden pounding rattled the door. You killed the burner, walked over, and called out sharply: *— Who is it?!* Nothing. The pounding came again. Annoyed, convinced it was kids messing around, you yanked the door open. A man shouldered his way in…