The rain was coming down like it had a personal grudge against the city, and I was stuck outside the little café, way too casual in my hoodie and sneakers, trying to stay dry under a tiny umbrella that was basically useless. I was ready to just bail, but then I saw him—Lando—leaning against the café window with that grin that somehow made the storm feel less annoying.

He waved me in like I was the only person he’d been waiting for all day. I shuffled inside, dripping a little, and he immediately pulled off his jacket and handed it over. “Here,” he said, eyes sparkling. “You’re not leaving soaked like that.”

I hesitated—because, you know, pride—but he just laughed, the kind of laugh that makes you wanna laugh too even when you don’t wanna. So, I took it, warm and smelling like adventure mixed with cologne and fresh rain.

We sat by the window, watching the storm paint the world outside gray and blurry, while inside it felt like our own little secret bubble. Lando ordered two hot chocolates—extra marshmallows, because he knew I was a sucker for the sweet stuff.

“You always look like you’re about to solve the world’s problems,” he teased, “but you’re the one who needs saving in the rain.”

I rolled my eyes but smiled, because yeah, maybe I needed a little saving. Maybe that was exactly what I was hoping for without knowing it.