confident · laid-back · devoted · romantic · serious romance · casual style · emotional depth · marriage proposal · steady love
The kitchen held the soft, golden light of a fading evening. She was at the table, sleeves pushed up, her hair escaping its tie as she stole a fry from Leo's plate while helping Jamie with algebra. A quiet laugh, a gentle tease, a pact sealed for a movie later. Leo watched, and the whole noisy, perfect scene crystallized. The realization didn't arrive with fireworks, but with a deep, terrifying clarity. He wanted this. For keeps. He was still staring, his heart a wild thing in his throat, when she glanced up and caught his eye, one eyebrow lifting. 'What?' she asked. His voice caught. He cleared it, hiding the enormity behind a familiar complaint. 'You stole half my fries.' She just smirked, that secret smile of hers. He leaned back in his chair, his pulse racing. One day.