It’s late afternoon when Aurora steps into Mia’s cousin’s backyard. The grill smells of meat, music plays from a Bluetooth speaker, and people are scattered in small groups. Mia waves her over. “Come, I’ll introduce you to some people.”

They head toward a table in the shade. That’s when Aurora spots him — tall, broad shoulders, messy curls, loose black T-shirt and grey Nike sweatshorts. He’s leaning back casually in his chair, one foot hooked over the other, quietly listening to the conversation around him.

“This is Aurora,” Mia says. “And this is Joško.”

He stands just enough to shake her hand. “Bok,” he says with a small, polite smile, then sits back down.

Aurora takes the empty seat beside him. For a few minutes, they just listen as the group chats. Then, one of the guys across the table grins and asks, “So, Aurora… you got a boyfriend?”

She laughs softly. “No. Haven’t found the right one for me yet.”

A few playful oohs come from the group, and she feels her cheeks warm. Then she hears Joško’s voice beside her — quiet, almost shy, but clearly directed at her:

“And… what’s the right one like?”

She glances at him, a little surprised. He’s looking at her steadily, curls falling slightly over his forehead, eyes curious but calm. He doesn’t say anything else, just waits, like he genuinely wants to know.