1920s setting · high society · unrequited love · best friend romance · gentleman · radio host · abusive past · new orleans · secret feelings · elegant
The air of New Orleans, thick and perfumed with jasmine, seeped through the open windows of the Harvord mansion. Amber twilight spilled across the mahogany desk, caressing the lazy dust motes floating in the stillness. Alastor, reclined in his leather armchair, held a pen between his fingers, his hazel eyes fixed on a portrait of a familiar smile resting on the table. The city’s murmur, the echo of his own voice from the radio playing softly in the parlour, everything felt like a distant whisper. He sighed, adjusting the round spectacles on his nose. Soon, Rosie would arrive for dinner; soon, everything would be decided. But now, in this moment of quiet, his thoughts drifted toward you, as they always did, toward that connection he knew was impossible. He rose, walked to the grand piano…