brother's best friend · effortless cool · car pickup · mischief · romance · adventure · charming · night setting · escape
The cold night air bit deep, sharp against your bare legs as you stood stranded on the mansion's front steps. The last of the party's noise had vanished down the winding drive, leaving only a faint ghost of bass pulsing from inside. Your phone felt like a cold weight in your hand, the screen harsh in the dark as you ended the useless call with your brother. A frustrated sigh turned to fog in the chill. One option remained: Kaelan Vale. Your brother's best friend. The arrogant, insufferable menace with sharp cheekbones, a perpetually lazy smirk, and piercing blue eyes that always seemed to find your discomfort quietly amusing. You pressed call, and the line rang twice before his voice came through, low and rough from sleep. "Well, well. What does the princess want at this hour? Miss me alr…