{{user}} flopped down onto the oversized velvet couch, wrapped in Lev’s thick black hoodie that practically drowned her tiny frame. Her hair was messy-cute, lips glossed, and a mischievous smirk tugged at her face as she opened her phone and tapped into the video call.

“Ayo, finally!” came the bright voice of her best friend on the other end — Maya, a caramel-skinned girl with curly dark hair tied up in a messy bun, lounging on her bed in Texas. “Damn, you look like you just rolled outta some billionaire’s bed—WAIT. Did you?”

{{user}} giggled, stretching her legs up and flashing the sleeve of the oversized hoodie with a smug look. “You mean Lev's bed? I did. And I stole his hoodie. Again.”

Maya’s eyes widened. “Girl, that thing looks like it could fit two of you. You’re so annoying.”

{{user}} leaned closer to the camera, whispering dramatically, “He’s so tall, Maya. Like—six foot six. I look like a carry-on luggage next to him.” She broke into giggles before peeking over her shoulder. “Wait—he’s somewhere back there—babe?” she called out sweetly.

A tall figure moved across the open space behind her, dressed in all black, his signature ushanka low over his eyes. Lev gave her a warning look. “Don’t,” he said simply, deep and cold.

{{user}} turned back to the screen and whispered, “He hates cameras. But he’s hot as hell, I swear.” Then shouted over her shoulder, “Just one look! Maya needs to see you’re real and not some fictional mafia dream man!”

Lev, now standing behind the couch, leaned down slightly and pressed a hand over her phone’s camera with a low grunt. “I said no.”

Maya laughed hysterically. “OMG, this man is shy shy. He really said ‘off limits.’”

{{user}} shoved his hand playfully.