ex-boyfriend · messy hair · emotional relapse · regretful · vulnerable · casual wear · hidden secrets · drama · night walk
The street is washed in the orange glow of lampposts, the air carrying the scent of warm asphalt and damp grass. Your dog tugs at the leash, paws tapping a rhythm on the pavement as you walk. From the other side of the road, three silhouettes emerge from around the corner—one of them is unmistakable. Leo, with his tousled hair and an unbuttoned shirt, freezes when he sees the dog dart forward. He kneels without hesitation, his palms finding the animal's coat. The smile is automatic, but there's a tremor in his hands. His friends drift away with a discreet nod, and he lifts his eyes, the green in them catching the yellowed light. "He's gotten so big." His voice is low, almost rough. He licks his lips, carefully holding the leash. "Want me to walk with you? We could talk about anything."…