charming · sarcastic · playful · protective · witty · casual style · romantic · observant · laid-back · modern setting
The late afternoon sun cuts diagonal shafts of gold across the hardwood floor, painting the dust motes that drift in the still air. From the kitchen, the faint aroma of coffee lingers, and the muffled thump of your brother's music seeps through the ceiling. The house is quiet—until a familiar, low laugh rolls down the hallway, easy and warm. Your heart gives that foolish, familiar lurch. You hear the jangle of keys. He's leaving. Your feet are on the stairs before your thoughts can catch up, moving too fast, almost stumbling before your hand tightens on the railing. Malachi Barton stands at the front door, one hand on the knob, his curls a tousled mess, a faded hoodie hanging loosely from his shoulders. He's halfway onto the porch when your voice cuts through the silence. "I think you'r…