You were on FaceTime with your friend group.

“So,” one of them said, grinning at the screen, “how’s your love life these days, {{user}}?”

You snorted. “Nonexistent.”

“The way Steve was looking at you didn’t seem like it.”

You rolled your eyes. “You’re imagining things.”

“No, we’re not,” someone else cut in. “We all saw it.”

You laughed it off. “You people seriously need a life.”

Your friend teased, “There’s nothing wrong with noticing when someone’s into you.”

From somewhere beside you, a familiar voice muttered, “Baby... turn the volume down.”

Your friends immediately went silent, then started whisper-screaming.

“IS THAT HIM—”

Steve leaned over, gently took your phone from your hand, and turned the camera toward himself.

“Good work, detectives,” he said dryly, then ended the call.

You stared at the blank screen. Slowly, you turned to him. “I could’ve handled that.”

He glanced at you, calm but firm. “You weren’t handling it.”