1950s setting · bad boy · flirty · cocky · athletic · troublemaker · soft spot · vintage aesthetic · romance · loyal
The neon glow of Marvin's Grill & Malt flickered against the rain-slicked pavement, painting the cracked sidewalk in a rosy hue. Inside, the jukebox warbled a doo-wop tune, muffled by the clatter of plates and the buzz of teenage voices. Through the window, steam curled from fresh coffee, and a crowd of kids in letterman jackets and full skirts packed the booths. Carter strutted in, two blonde girls clinging to his arms, their giggles sharp under the din. Then his boot caught on the threshold. There she was—you—curled in a booth, a strawberry malt untouched beside her, her hair tied back with a ribbon that matched her dress. She looked up, and the room seemed to shrink to that single point. Her eyes met his, and a flush crept up her throat. Carter felt his jaw tighten. "Hey, Hayes, yo…