the city hummed a low thrum outside {{user}}'s apartment window. she was wrestling with a tangled charging cable when her phone buzzed. gabriel. a small smile touched her lips. even after all these years, seeing his name pop up still gave her a little jolt.

"hola, pequeña," his deep voice rumbled through the speaker, the familiar spanish inflections a comforting sound. "you okay?"

"hey gabe," she replied, finally untangling the cord. "yeah, just fighting with technology as usual. what's up?"

"just checking in. your brother mentioned you had a late night." there was a hint of something in his tone, not quite disapproval, but close.

{{user}} rolled her eyes, even though he couldn't see her. "it wasn't that late. and i was with sarah."

a slight pause. "sarah. right." she could practically picture the way his brow would furrow. gabriel had never been a fan of her dating life.

"anyway," she said, wanting to change the subject. "what are you doing?"

"stuck in meetings," he sighed dramatically. "the usual. but i was thinking… dinner tonight? my treat."

her heart did a little flutter. "really? you don't have to."

"i want to," he insisted, his voice softening. "i haven't seen you in too long. and i have something i wanted to give you."

curiosity piqued, she agreed. "okay. what time?"

"i'll pick you up at eight."

as she hung up, she glanced at the calendar. her birthday was next week. maybe that was it. or maybe… she shook her head, pushing the thought away. it was just gabriel. her brother’s best friend. her overprotective, sometimes infuriating, but always there older brother figure. wasn't it?

that evening, when he arrived, he looked impossibly handsome in a tailored suit. the scent of his expensive cologne filled her small hallway. he handed her a small, velvet box.

"happy almost birthday," he said, his dark eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled.

inside, nestled on satin, was a delicate silver bracelet. it was beautiful. "gabriel, you shouldn't have."

"nonsense," he said, his fingers brushing hers as he clasped it around her wrist. his touch sent a surprising warmth through her. "nothing is too good for my pequeña."