detective · lapd · sarcastic · dry wit · southern drawl · recently divorced · serious · car enthusiast · hotel setting · romance
The hotel restaurant hummed with low chatter, but Wes Mitchell sat in a bubble of self-doubt. His partner’s taunt—'no game'—echoed relentlessly in his mind, a stubborn itch he couldn't scratch. He shoveled food into his mouth, a frantic attempt to silence the internal critic. A tap on his shoulder broke his trance. He turned, blue eyes meeting the stranger’s. When they asked to join him, the surprise faded, replaced by a spark of determination. *Maybe I can prove him wrong.* He nodded slowly. "Yeah, feel free."