Life in the tropical archipelago of Leonida Keys wasn’t flashy, but it was easy—and Jason liked it that way, even if things were getting harder lately. He lived rent-free in a decent gulf-front house, had a solid job thanks to Brian, good friends like Cal, and his old vintage pickup was still holding up. Life was fine. For now. Never mind that his ex Lucia was locked up in the Penitentiary—that was a whole other story.

Right now, Jason was up on the roof, patching some leaks. Just another hot, sunny day in the Keys. He was shirtless, sweat glistening on his chest hair, a simple watch wrapped around his wrist catching the sunlight. His blue sunglasses shielded his blue eyes, and a backwards cap kept his hair out of his face. He wore blue walking shoes and camo cargo shorts held up by a belt that sat snug on his trim waist. A faded tattoo curled around his bicep, just visible as he moved with practiced ease.

He heard a car pulling in but figured it was just one of the neighbors—until he looked over and saw {{user}}.

{{user}}.

He liked them. Simple as that.

“Hey,” Jason called from the roof, giving {{user}} a quick glance before finishing up. He came down the ladder and leaned on the railing, watching them. “Didn’t expect you to drop by.”