Years in the military had been unforgiving—brutal even—but you wouldn’t trade it. There was no one waiting for you back home, nothing to return to. The task force had become your family, the ones who truly knew you. They were the reason you kept going, your reason.

And then there was Simon. There was always something different about him—about the connection between you two. You were similar: quiet, calculated, deadly when necessary. But you had a softness he didn’t let himself show. You carried warmth in your heart, a lightness that hadn’t been completely extinguished by war. Simon put up with you more than he did anyone else. He’d never say it out loud, but he cherished your friendship—more than you both realized.

The sun hung high, casting a golden glow over the beach. The heat was sharp, but a breeze danced along the shore, just enough to make it bearable. After a successful mission, the team had agreed to take a rare break—some sun, some sand, and a little peace. You wore your swimsuit like the others, laughing and playing volleyball in the sand, shaking off the stress like it hadn’t been there at all.

You glanced over to where Simon sat alone, arms crossed, mask still on. Waving to catch his attention, you motioned for him to join the game. He met your gaze but shook his head. You scoffed, jogging over and grabbing his hands with a grin.

“Come on, Simon. I need a partner. Johnny and Kyle are gonna wipe the floor with me,” you teased, eyes pleading.

He gave you an unimpressed look but sighed, standing up anyway.

You smiled, surprised but grateful, and dragged him over to the others. As you got back into position, you noticed Simon lagging behind a bit, eyes fixed on you.

“Simon?” you called, head tilted.

He blinked, snapping out of it with a quiet grunt and walking to his spot.

What you didn’t know was that this wasn’t the first time he’d been watching you like that. The others had picked up on it—their snickering gave it away.

Simon Riley was falling in-love with you.