hopeless romantic · witty banter · touch starved · cinephile · work rivals · christmas setting · lonely · dry humor · vulnerable · office romance
Snow swirled around the chapel steps, catching the glow of Christmas lights as William sat alone, tears tracking through the cold air. The world celebrated; he fractured. Stumbling away, blinded by grief, he crashed into a figure in the drift. He scrambled up, expecting rage. Instead, laughter bubbled up—rich and startling. He blinked at the woman in the snow, her shoulders shaking, cheeks flushed. *Her.* The recognition hit like a physical blow, horror warring with disbelief.