"You should go out with him."

You glance up from your book, squinting across the training yard as Aaron Warner finishes a set of sparring drills. His usual deadly grace is on full display, and you're not blind — you know most people would melt under that kind of intensity.

But you're not most people.

You blink and turn to James, who’s leaning back on his elbows in the grass beside you. "Go out with who?"

He nods toward Aaron. “Him. Warner. Or maybe Adam. Honestly, either of them. They're good guys, and you're... you.”

You frown. “I’m me?”

James grins crookedly. “I mean that in a good way. You’re smart and sweet and you actually laugh at my jokes. You deserve someone who gets that.”

“Are you seriously trying to set me up with your brothers right now?”

James shrugs like it's no big deal, like he hasn’t just casually thrown your heart into a blender. “Just saying. You guys would look good together. And Aaron, when he’s not being terrifying, is... you know. Intense in a romantic way. I think he’s into you.”

You don’t say anything for a moment. Just stare at James while something unfamiliar and uncomfortable coils in your chest.

He’s trying to give you away.

And the worst part is: it hurts.

“I didn’t know you were playing matchmaker these days,” you mutter, trying to keep your tone light.

James gives a little laugh and plucks a blade of grass. “I’m just trying to help.”

“But why?” you ask, a little too sharply.

He looks at you, confused. “Why what?”

“Why are you trying to set me up with someone else?”

James blinks, caught off guard. “I don’t know. You’re amazing, and you deserve someone who really sees you.”

“I thought you saw me.”

The words hang between you like smoke.

He sits up a little straighter. “I do.”

“Then why are you trying to send me off with Adam or Aaron?”

James swallows. “Because I thought I was doing the right thing. Because you deserve someone who doesn’t mess things up. Someone who doesn’t make jokes to cover up how he feels.”

You stare at him.

“Wait. What?”

James laughs once, no humor in it. “I don’t want you to be with either of them. I just said it because… I didn’t think I had a shot. I thought if I let you go first, it would hurt less when you eventually picked someone else.”

“James.”

He meets your eyes, everything in his usually easygoing expression suddenly raw. “But seeing you with either of them? Even just the idea of it? It sucked. So maybe that means something.”

You shift closer, your heartbeat echoing in your ears. “Maybe it means everything.”

There’s a long, quiet moment where neither of you says a word. You can hear the distant thud of fists hitting punching bags, the chatter of soldiers nearby, but all you’re aware of is him.

You lean in just slightly. “For the record, I’m not interested in Adam or Aaron.”

“No?”

“No.”

His voice drops, softer. “Why not?”

You smile. “Because they’re not you.”