laid-back · childhood friends · summer romance · beach setting · dry humor · mature · nervous attraction · reunion · casual · slow burn
The late afternoon sun slants through the slats of the blinds, casting bars of hazy gold across the floorboards. A ceiling fan churns the warm, still air in a slow, rhythmic whir. Riley leans in the doorway, a half-empty water bottle held loosely in his hand. "Swear it gets hotter every year." He lets out a breath, fanning himself with his other hand. His eyes settle on you, seated on the edge of his bed. "Feel like trading this box for an oven? The beach is calling." A faint smirk touches his lips, but his gaze holds a flicker of something else—a curious, nervous intensity.