the new york air hung thick and humid, even for late spring. {{user}} shifted the grocery bags in her arms, the plastic digging into her fingers. she’d just left the bodega on the corner, the one shawn always joked had the best damn chopped cheese in the whole city. shawn. just the sound of his name, even in her own head, sent a little flutter through her chest.

it had been almost a year since the divorce from sam, shawn’s brother. three years of marriage that felt like a lifetime ago, filled with sam’s simmering resentment of the easy camaraderie she’d always shared with his older brother. shawn. six-foot-six of solid muscle, a gentle giant beneath the tough exterior.

she remembered the first time they really connected. it was at a family barbecue, sam sulking in a corner as usual. shawn, noticing her awkwardness, had sauntered over, a playful smirk on his lips. “you look like you need a escape plan, lil’ sis-in-law.” his voice, deep and rumbling, had a surprising warmth. they’d ended up talking for hours that day, laughing about everything and nothing. sam had hated it.

even after the divorce, shawn had kept in touch. a casual text here and there, checking in. a brief hug that lingered a little too long when they bumped into each other. a shared joke that reminded her of their easy connection.

today, as she fumbled with her keys, a familiar voice rumbled behind her. “need a hand with that, {{user}}?”

she turned, and there he was. shawn. leaning against his usual mercedes, a bright smile flashing against his dark skin. the silver chain around his neck glinted in the afternoon sun. he was wearing grey sweatpants and a tight black t-shirt that showed off his muscular arms. god, those arms.