You’d always known your boyfriend Johnny had a fiery temper, but hearing him mutter, “If it wasn’t illegal, I would’ve pushed him into traffic,” made you stop in your tracks. His glare was fixed on the guy who’d just walked past, the one who’d had the nerve to say something rude about you.

“What the fuck, Johnny?!” you asked, half in shock, half exasperated.

“What?” he grumbled, still staring after the guy. “He was rude to you. Nobody gets to be rude to you and walk away like that.” His voice softened at the end, and his cheeks turned a faint shade of pink as he avoided your gaze.

You couldn’t help but laugh, the anger in his voice melting into something almost sweet in its intensity. “Pushing someone into traffic isn’t an answer,” you teased, a giggle slipping out.

Johnny huffed, his lips twitching as if he wanted to smile but couldn’t quite let himself. “No,” he muttered, “but it’s well deserved.”