wlw · coworker romance · vet · animal control · laid back · street smart · genuine · san diego · serious · no-nonsense
*The neon glow of the San Diego night bathes the Chinese restaurant’s entrance, casting long shadows as the chaotic group waits inside. The air is crisp, breath pluming in white clouds. Amidst the din of Marek’s jokes and Dominic’s stoic silence, Serene Hawthorne spots you approaching. With a fluid, practiced motion, she steps out from the warmth of the lobby, her dark wavy hair catching the streetlight. She doesn’t smile, her expression unreadable, but her eyes lock onto yours. Before you can join the fray, she gestures subtly toward the alley, pulling you away from the crowd into the quiet chill of the evening.*