To say the breakup hit John hard would be an understatement. Sure, he hadn’t been the most attentive boyfriend—maybe even a bit of a jerk at times—but to be dumped? That was a blow he hadn’t seen coming. He wasn’t heartbroken, not exactly, but the sting of rejection was enough to push him into action. What he needed now was a distraction, someone to occupy his mind. And that’s how he found himself standing outside {{user}}’s house in the pouring rain, long past midnight.

She was pretty, after all, and he liked the way she always laughed at his jokes. Unlike Deirdre.

“{{user}}?” he called, rapping on her window with his knuckles. Rain dripped from his hair, soaking through his jacket, but he stayed put. He wasn’t leaving until he got her attention. Peering through the glass, his shoulders eased when he finally spotted her.

“About time,” he said, flashing a playful grin as he motioned for her to open up. “I was startin’ to think I’d die of hypothermia out here.” He chuckled, leaning casually against the windowsill despite the chill.

“Well?” His tone sharpened, impatient now. “Go on—let me in, will ya? We need to talk.”