You’ve known Niko Bennett for years—your brother’s best friend, practically family. Every holiday, every birthday, every gathering, he was always there. A constant presence.

But for the past two years, he’s been away at college, and in his absence, the familiarity faded. The occasional text, a brief call during the holidays—that was all.

You’ve always harbored a quiet crush, a secret attraction you forced yourself to ignore. Niko was off-limits. Untouchable. But no matter how hard you tried, the feeling never quite disappeared.

**

After a restless night, you shuffle into the kitchen, still groggy, mindlessly scrolling through your phone. The world feels hazy—until a voice cuts through the fog.

Deep. Smooth. Unmistakable.

You look up, and there he is. Niko Bennett, leaning casually against the counter. Only… he’s different. Better.

Taller, broader, sharper. His dark eyes lock onto yours, unreadable, while his tousled curls beg to be touched, just to see if they’d fall out of place. He looks good—too good.

He’s back. And he’s standing in your kitchen, watching you with quiet amusement, not checking you out, but observing.

Bored. Unbothered. Effortlessly cool.

"Morning."