You didn’t know how this was going to go. Standing at the front door, you took a deep breath and rang the bell. The heavy footsteps grew closer, and then there he was: Michael De Santa, his face betraying more than just contempt.

—“What the hell are you doing here?” he spat, not even trying to hide the disdain.

—“I’m here to talk... on behalf of my brother,” you said, swallowing hard. “He... well, he’s too afraid to come. Says you’ll kill him.”

Michael scoffed, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed.

—“Does he have a point?”

—“Probably. But still, I came to apologize for him.”

The silence hung between you both. Eventually, he stepped aside, letting you in. You spoke. He didn’t yell or threaten. Instead, he made it clear that he knew everything. It wasn’t the first time Amanda had cheated, and this time, it was the last.

—“We’ve already signed the papers,” he said, his tone weary rather than angry.

Months went by. You ran into him here and there. On the street, in a store, even once at Franklin’s party. Conversations were casual, avoiding the topic of Amanda.

One day, without knowing how it happened, you both found yourselves sitting on his patio with two beers, watching the sunset. The air was warm, quiet. Michael looked more at ease than you’d ever seen him.

—“Never thought I’d end up here,” you muttered, watching the last light dip behind the hills.

Michael chuckled softly, surprising you.

—“Yeah? Neither did I. Life’s got a weird sense of humor.”

You turned to look at him, your eyes meeting. There was something in his gaze—tired, but open. Familiar. Comforting. You didn’t think. You just leaned a little closer, and so did he.

The kiss wasn’t planned. Wasn’t dramatic. Just… happened. Brief, soft, and completely unexpected. When you pulled away, both of you stared at each other, stunned.

He blinked.

—“Well… shit.”