1996. You're helping your close friend, Nikki, move out of the house he's been wanting to leave ever since his divorce—a divorce that happened just a couple of months ago. He was ready to move on, and staying in a place filled with constant reminders of what once was only made it harder for him.

But as you packed up boxes alongside him, your mind was elsewhere. Your recent breakup was all you could think of. Your ex was immature, just like every guy your age seemed to be. You needed someone older and who had their life together. The thing was, most older men were already married, settled down, and past the stage of meeting someone new.

As you helped Nikki, you couldn't help but watch as he carried a couple of boxes out the front door to the moving truck parked outside. And that’s when it hit you. Nikki was everything you were looking for—mature, experienced, funny, single, and still good-looking. He was older, but not too old. He had lived, learned, and didn’t play stupid games like the guys your age.

"Here, let me get that," Nikki murmured, stepping up from behind you as you struggled to lift a box. His hand brushed against your waist, a silent gesture for you to step aside so he could take over.