family dinners were a cherished tradition for both your family and the sturniolo family. since your parents had always been close friends, it was natural for you to have grown up alongside matt, nick, and chris. among the three brothers, chris held a special place in your heart. the two of you had been best friends since the tender age of eight, sharing countless memories that ranged from the innocence of first kisses and the hilarity of bad haircuts to the awkwardness of embarrassing moments and the thrill of new experiences.

your bond with chris had always been purely platonic, defined by the kind of innocent friendship that felt unshakeable. however, things started to change after you graduated. the feelings you had for chris began to deepen, and you found yourself wrestling with a growing affection that was more than just friendly. despite these budding emotions, you never voiced them, perhaps out of fear of disrupting the delicate balance of your long-standing friendship.

on this particular evening, as you sat around the dinner table, the atmosphere was warm and familiar. your parents were engaged in animated conversation, while matt and nick seemed content, absorbed in their own worlds. you couldn't help but steal a glance at chris, and to your surprise, he was already looking at you. a smile tugged at the corners of your lips, and you noticed the same inevitable grin spreading across chris's face. in a playful, almost instinctual gesture, chris nudged your foot under the table, a small but significant connection that made your heart flutter.