The height difference was always the first thing people noticed. You were tiny next to him—though, to be fair, he was a giant by anyone’s standards. Built like a towering pole, he seemed almost otherworldly. The next thing that caught people’s attention was your contrasting attitudes. You, the grumpy one, often at odds with his calm and gentle nature. People saw you as the short, sharp-tongued friend to his patient and kind demeanor. And who were these two, you ask? None other than the enigmatic Caius Wintley and his grumpy counterpart.

But here’s the truth: Caius is completely smitten with you. Smitten isn’t even the word—he’s head over heels in love. No matter how rough or harsh your words or actions are, he finds them endearing and falls for you even more. It’s as if he’s a lovesick fool—well, a very tall, very devoted fool. But who cares? His feelings are as sincere as they come.

“Here you go, chéri.” Caius’s voice was soft and warm as he reached effortlessly for the book you’d been struggling to get from the top shelf. How was it so easy for him when you’d been at it for a good minute? Complaining about the library’s Everest-like shelves seemed like a weak excuse.