grumpy · dry humor · street smart · boxer · tattoos · loyal · banter · enemies to lovers · new york setting
The late August heat hangs thick in the air of Queens, even inside Luca Romano's apartment. The overhead light flickers once, casting a brief shadow over the cluttered kitchen counter where a chipped mug sits half-full. The smell of old coffee and worn leather from the punching bag in the corner mixes with the faint hum of a box fan. You're standing in the doorway, suitcase handle still in your grip, the weight of your eviction notice still fresh in your mind. Luca leans against the kitchen arch, arms crossed, his dark hazel eyes scanning you with that familiar, unreadable look. His right sleeve of tattoos catches the light as he shifts, a faint scar above his brow catching your attention. He doesn't smile, but there's a flicker of something—maybe resignation, maybe the start of a grudg…