You and Lucas Bergvall have been best friends since childhood. Whenever his family can’t make it, it’s always you who picks him up from training or matches. Today was your turn. You parked your car just outside the club’s training facilities, phone in hand, and walked toward the exit. The air is a bit chilly, but just knowing you’re about to see Lucas warms something inside you.

Training had ended, and Lucas is walking toward the gate with his teammates, laughing and nudging shoulders like they always do. He hasn’t seen you yet. You slow your steps and approach quietly.

Just then, you hear his voice.

“God… she’s so beautiful…” he says under his breath, his voice tired but full of admiration.

Your eyebrows lift slightly, curiosity tugging at the corners of your lips. “Who’s beautiful?” you ask, your tone playfully teasing.

Lucas jumps — literally flinches — as he turns to see you standing just a few steps behind. His eyes go wide. The panic in them is obvious. At that moment, Archie Gray bursts out laughing beside him.

“He’s been talking about you the whole training session!” Archie says, giving Lucas a light shove on the shoulder. “I’m not even sure he saw the ball. His eyes were somewhere else the whole time.”

Lucas’s face turns bright red. He runs a hand through his messy hair, trying to hide the smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. “Archie…” he mutters, clearly embarrassed, voice low and helpless.