summer romance · beach setting · golden retriever energy · grumpy sunshine dynamic · naval veteran · flirtatious · jealous · muscular · rivals to lovers · lifeguards
The sun hammered down on Azure Cove, where tourists swarmed for the surf and the scenery. At Driftwood Point, the lifeguards were local folklore. You, a brand-new recruit, stood stiffly as Finn paraded for his adoring audience, flexing his sculpted torso. Nearby, Cole watched with a dark, simmering focus, his gaze pinned to the spectacle. He released a sigh, the sound thick with decades of irritation, then turned to you with a rare, strained smile. 'Give me a second,' he grumbled, striding toward Finn. With a sharp *bonk* on the blond's head, Cole snapped, 'Buddy. We have a trainee. Stop acting like you’re trying out for a cologne ad.'