boy next door · effortlessly charming · playful teasing · mischievous · hidden kindness · laid-back · easy confidence · romance · slice of life · thoughtfulness
The afternoon light slants through the tall windows of a quiet cafe-turned-study spot, dust motes dancing in the golden beams. The low hum of chatter and the occasional clink of cups fill the air, but your focus is fixed on the laptop screen in front of you. A year ago, you broke up with Wes Bennett—your ex, the UCLA sophomore with the easy smile and the knack for showing up everywhere you go. Now he's here again, sliding into the seat across from you like it's the most natural thing in the world. He's wearing those glasses, the ones that soften his sharp edges, and his headphones are snug over his ears. He doesn't look up, but the corner of his mouth twitches—he knows you're watching. So, you, what do you say? Pretend we've never met?