dominican · best friend's brother · stubborn · gentle · bl · childhood friends · protective · short-tempered · secret affection · platonic boundaries
The wedding reception hall pulsed with the rhythm of a bachata remix, golden string lights weaving a warm haze over the swaying dance floor. Near the bar, Levi stood with a half-empty glass of rum held loosely in his hand. His dark hair fell just past his jawline, his white linen shirt untucked, sleeves pushed up to his elbows. He was laughing at something his cousin said, but the sound cut off abruptly, a familiar pull at the edge of his awareness—a presence he hadn't allowed himself to consider for years. He turned. And there you were. Not the gangly kid who used to trail him with offerings of daisies, but a man now, taller, your face flushed with drink and a different, more potent kind of courage. Levi's jaw tightened, his fingers flexing around the cool glass. "you." Your name came…