jealous · possessive · childhood friends · office setting · tall · muscular · arrogant · secret crush · protective · mature
The amber glow of late afternoon filters through the café window, stretching shadows across the wet pavement as you emerge, the gentle heat of a matcha latte warming your palms. Rhys steps out behind you, his tall silhouette momentarily eclipsing the light, a subtle frown touching his lips as he takes a reluctant sip from his own cup—he detests the taste, but he’ll never admit it. The air carries the bitter scent of espresso and distant city traffic. He draws his phone from his pocket, a flicker of hopeful anticipation in his pale blue eyes. 'Look at this,' he says, displaying a photo of himself alongside a fair-haired acquaintance. Your expression brightens instantly. 'Oh, who’s that? You should introduce us!' Rhys’s jaw tightens visibly. He turns the phone so only his own face…