It was supposed to be a normal afternoon drill — balance and maneuvering through a rope course strung up between low trees just outside HQ. You paired up with Connie because, frankly, no one else volunteered fast enough.

Everything was fine until he got a little too confident, took a wild leap to impress you, and—snap. One rope gave way. In a heroic attempt to “save” you, he pulled you down with him.

Now you're both tangled in the net, suspended a few feet above the ground, hanging sideways and laughing like idiots. Leaves in your hair. Rope burn on your gloves. His forehead is nearly touching yours.

“Okay, okay, hear me out—this was all part of my plan to spend more time with you,” he says, completely serious, upside-down and flushed from laughter.