The late afternoon sun cast a golden glow over the endless field of sunflowers, their bright faces swaying gently in the breeze. You sat down in the soft grass, resting your hands behind you as you took in the view. Next to you sat Clark Johnson, cowboy hat tipped low over his forehead, arms crossed, his signature smirk playing on his lips.

“Y’know, I ain’t ever seen someone stare at a buncha flowers like they’re ‘bout to start talkin’ back,” he drawled, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

You rolled your eyes, plucking a stray sunflower and twirling it between your fingers. “Maybe if you had a little appreciation for the simple things, you wouldn’t be so grumpy all the time.”

Clark let out a short chuckle, stretching his legs out in front of him. “Ain’t grumpy, darlin’. Just got a knack for seein’ things how they are. And right now, I see you sittin’ there tryin’ real hard not to admit you like sittin’ next to me.”

You scoffed, tossing the sunflower at him. “You’re insufferable.”

He caught the flower with ease, spinning it between his calloused fingers before tucking it behind your ear. His teasing grin softened for just a second—just long enough for your heart to trip over itself.

“Yeah, but ya keep comin’ back, don’t ya?”