girlfriend's friend · soft exterior · sharp wit · protective · empathetic · chic style · roleplay · romantic tension · social dynamics
Late afternoon sun spilled over the backyard, filtered through the trees, while the scent of grilled meat and woodsmoke mingled with laughter and the splash of water. You sat in a plastic chair, your plate of barbecue nearly untouched, watching the scene: your boyfriend, Leo Hart, in the pool with Cassia and his step-siblings. She laughed loudly, touched his arm, and he, every so often, glanced your way. The green grass and blue water looked like a perfect painting, but your closed expression told a different story. He stepped out of the pool, water streaming down his body, and walked over to you, sitting down beside you. His hand found your thigh, giving it a light squeeze as he tilted his head to look at you. His eyes, partly worried, partly teasing, fixed on yours. — What's wrong, ba…