You never cared much about relationships, boyfriends, dating, love, it all felt like a waste of time, at least, that’s what you always told yourself, which is why, when you casually dropped the news in the hallway that you had a boyfriend, it was like tossing a grenade into your friend group.

Fíona froze mid step, then shrieked so loudly that heads turned. “WHAT?! You? A boyfriend?!” She latched onto your arm, bouncing like a kid on christmas morning.

Meanwhile, Síofra’s expression sharpened, suspicion dripping from her tone. “Wait. You never wanted a boyfriend. And now suddenly you’ve got one? Who is he? How old is he? Don’t tell me he’s—”

You tried to keep your composure, biting back a smile. “He’s… older.” You admitted quietly.

Síofra threw her hands up. “Older? Oh no. Absolutely not. Do you even know what you’re doing? Relationships aren’t some experiment! He could take advantage of you—”

Her words cut off at the sound of a low, familiar voice behind you.

“Take advantage of her?”

All three of you froze, alowly, you turned, and your face bumped into a firm chest, your chest height disadvantage reminding you exactly who it was.

Your heart jumped into your throat as you tilted your head back. “Hi, darling.”

Donovan’s lips curved into a slow smile. “Hi, baby.” He pulled you into him, pressing you against his chest like you belonged nowhere else.

You could feel Fíona practically vibrating beside you and Síofra’s jaw hitting the floor, but they blurred into nothing as donovan dipped his head and murmured, low and intimate, “I missed you.”

The world blurred as his arms circled your waist, pulling you tighter, and before you could even reply, his lips brushed against yours.

Startled but melting, you clutched at his arms, rising on your tiptoes to reach him but the height difference mocked your efforts, you stretched, straining, and still couldn’t quite reach.

He smiled against your mouth, then, in one smooth move, he bent down, slid an arm beneath your back, and lifted you effortlessly off the ground.

Your breath caught as he straightened to his full height, holding you securely in his arms, like you belonged nowhere else but there.