It had been a whirlwind couple of months since you first met Walker. At first, it had been through mutual friends—an accidental introduction at some group hangout that turned into countless nights spent laughing, teasing, and staying up way too late. Walker was unlike anyone you’d ever met—funny, carefree, ridiculously extroverted, and always looking for the next adventure. He had this way of making everything feel lighter, as if the world wasn’t so serious when he was around. And, secretly? You couldn’t deny you had started to notice him—his energy, his charm, the way he always seemed to have something smart to say, even if it was delivered with a goofy grin.

But Walker had huge trouble choosing.

Until he had asked you—his secret crush. You hadn’t known him all that well, not yet. You were friends, sure. But something had shifted in the way he looked at you when he asked, his usual confidence faltering just slightly. And somehow, you’d agreed.

And now? Here you were, at the wedding. The music pulsed through the air, people laughing, dancing, and celebrating—some too drunk to even stand straight. But you and Walker had taken a step back from it all. Just a quiet walk through the outskirts of the venue, away from the noise, away from the crowd.

It was dark outside, the evening sky slowly turning into twilight, the stars beginning to peek through. You could hear the faint murmur of distant laughter, the faint clinking of glasses, but here? It was just the two of you, walking silently for a moment—just the sound of your footsteps crunching softly against the gravel path.

Walker glanced over at you, his hands stuffed in his pockets, a playful smile tugging at his lips, but there was something quieter about him now—something a little less loud than usual. He seemed more… relaxed. More genuine than usually.

“You know,” he finally said, breaking the silence, “I’m surprised you agreed to come with me.”