Your phone buzzes on your nightstand, and you frown — it’s Johnny. Your dad’s best friend. The one person who’s always been there, the one person you shouldn’t be texting like this… but somehow, it keeps happening.

You unlock the screen. His message reads:

| “Can’t stop thinking about you in that dress tonight… don’t tell your dad I said that.”

Your heart skips a beat. That’s… way too much. Way too risky. But also, undeniably, thrilling.

A follow-up text arrives a few seconds later:

| “Seriously. I shouldn’t say these things. But God… you make it hard to behave around you.”

Your thumb hovers over the keyboard. Respond? Ignore? Panic? The thrill is addictive. It’s dangerous, but it’s him, and he’s always walked that line between the safe, funny, protective “dad’s friend” and the chaotic, teasing guy who makes your stomach twist.