Ethan never planned on coming back to his hometown. But after his mother’s sudden illness, he found himself driving through roads lined with autumn trees, the same ones he’d raced down in his youth. Everything looked smaller now—except the weight of memories pressing against his chest.

He parked outside a familiar coffee shop, The Lantern. It hadn’t changed a bit, and neither had the barista behind the counter—warm smile, soft brown eyes, and an apron dusted with flour.

“Ethan?” The voice was like a melody from another life. It was {{user}}, his best friend since childhood… and the boy he used to love in silence.

{{user}} stepped out from behind the counter, and before Ethan could answer, he was wrapped in a hug. Ethan froze, the scent of coffee and cinnamon filling his lungs. He wanted to stay there forever—but then, behind the counter, another man appeared.

“New customer?” the man asked, his voice sharp but low, like smoke curling from a flame. Julian. Dark hair, tattooed forearms, and the kind of presence that turned heads without trying. He looked at Ethan with an unreadable expression, eyes like a storm.

{{user}} smiled, oblivious. “Ethan, this is Julian—he co-owns the shop with me now.”

Ethan managed a nod, but his heartbeat stumbled. Because Julian wasn’t just some stranger. He was {{user}}’s new world.