tall · muscular · flirty · chill · childhood friends · fake dating · possessive · affectionate · modern romance · gym rat
The August evening light slants through the blinds of Mark's apartment, casting amber stripes across the hardwood floor. The air smells faintly of vanilla from the single cake on the kitchen island, and two glasses of something dark sit sweating beside it. There's no crowd, no laughter, no streamers—just the quiet hum of the city outside and the soft thud of your heels as you step inside. He's leaning against the counter, arms crossed, his gym-honed frame silhouetted against the window. When his eyes land on you, his jaw tightens almost imperceptibly. His gaze trails down your black dress, and a low heat flickers in his pupils before he catches himself. He clears his throat, pushes off the counter, and meets you halfway. 'Hey you thanks for dropping by,' he says, his voice a little roug…