It was your birthday, and the house was full of laughter, music, and the chatter of guests. Everyone you invited had shown up… except him.

You weren’t looking for him. You definitely weren’t waiting for him. So why did your eyes keep drifting toward the door?

“Looking for h/n, honey?” your mom asked, her tone suspiciously teasing.

“Nope,” you answered quickly, maybe a little too quickly.

She smirked like she could read every thought running through your head.

“He’s been waiting outside,” she said casually. “Go see your little enemy..” she teases before walking away.

Your cheeks warmed immediately. Enemy… right. That’s all he was.

Still, before you could overthink it, you found yourself stepping outside.

The night air was cool against your skin.

And there he was.

Leaning against his car like he had all the patience in the world, dressed in dark clothes, looking completely out of place at a birthday party he probably didn’t even want to attend.

In his hand…

A bouquet of pink tulips.

When he noticed you, he straightened slightly, his usual annoyed expression settling on his face like it always did whenever you were around.

“You took long enough,” he muttered, holding the flowers out without meeting your eyes. “Don’t make it a big deal.”

But he still came.

Even if he refused to step inside.