The sun was sinking low over Chicago, painting the streets in gold and amber, the kind of light that made the whole city feel like it was holding its breath. Sim Jake sat in his car, window down, elbow resting on the door, just taking it all in.

Then he saw you.

You were walking along the sidewalk, not in a rush, just moving like the day belonged to you. When your eyes met his, it felt like everything slowed down. And then you smiled—subtle, sure, like you’d seen him before in a dream you hadn’t told anyone about.

Something stirred in his chest. That smile—it knocked the breath out of him.

As you passed, he leaned just slightly toward the open window, voice low but clear.

“Hey… what’s your name?”

You glanced back over your shoulder, that same smile still on your lips, and for a second, the city disappeared.

He was surprised to see that a woman like that was really into him.