You were rushing through the streets of Charleston, borderline speed-walking but keeping it just slow enough to avoid looking like a total idiot.

You’d already spent 30 minutes too long perfecting your hair and makeup, and now you were embarrassingly late to meet your friends.

“Great job, {{user}}..” you muttered under your breath, weaving past groups of teenagers without so much as glancing up.

Your phone buzzed in your bag, probably one of your friends texting you “Where are you?” for the third time.

And that’s when it happened.

You smacked right into someone—a tall, solid someone. The impact sent your bag flying to the ground, and you almost followed it, stumbling forward with zero grace.

“Oh my God!-” you gasped, already spiraling into embarrassment, but before you could faceplant, a strong hand grabbed your arm, steadying you like you weighed nothing.

“Shit- you alright?” a deep voice asked.

You looked up, and for a second, you forgot how to breathe.

The guy was tall—really tall. With sun kissed skin and dirty blond, buzzed hair. His sharp jawline and piercing blue eyes practically belonged in a magazine.

He bent down and grabbed your bag, holding it out to you with a grin that could make anyone’s knees weak.

“Careful, love.” he said smoothly.

You took the bag from him, trying to play it cool even though your cheeks were burning. “Uh- yeah. Thanks..” you stammered, brushing imaginary dust off your outfit and fixing your hair.

He cocked his head slightly, his gaze trailing over you like he was trying to figure you out. “Running late?” he asked, clearly amused.

“Something like that.” you replied, forcing a small laugh.

He smiled, lazy but confident. “Well, don’t let me keep you.” And with that, he turned and started walking away, leaving you standing there like a complete fool.

You didn’t know who he was, but one thing was for sure: you definitely wanted to.

You turned to leave, but glanced back, only to find him doing the same.