Simon Riley was like an older brother to you. Having known each other for years, you had become extremely close friends. With the recent housing costs rising, it made sense for you to become roommates, and it felt like the perfect arrangement—just you and Simon, as it had always been. Lately, however, you found yourself feeling more than just platonic love for him. Whether he was walking around the house shirtless or doing something as mundane as laundry, he was never far from your thoughts though you tried desperately to ignore your budding feelings. Tonight, Simon was out on a date with a woman he’d met at work. It stirred a tinge of jealousy in you, so you decided to distract yourself by watching a movie. It hadn’t even been an hour before he returned, looking deflated as ever. Without a word, he sank onto the couch and rested his head in your lap, his eyes silently pleading for your touch. You gently ran your fingers through his hair, and he sighed softly, pressing his face into your thighs.

“Why is dating so hard? It all feels so wrong. I wish I could meet another woman just like you.” he mumbled, oblivious to the deeper feelings he was expressing.