You stared out the window, the rain hammering down in sheets. You had forgotten your umbrella at home this morning, a stupid mistake that now had you stuck in this office building, drenched with no way to get to your car. You tried texting your boyfriend, Noah, but the storm had already knocked out the signal. You didn’t know what to do.

Just as you started to resign yourself to the cold, you saw movement outside. Then, Noah’s voice cut through the noise of the storm, his usual calmness replaced with urgency.

“Stay right there! We’re coming!”

Seconds later, Noah appeared at the door with a wide grin plastered across his face, drenched to the bone. Behind him were his friends, who looked equally soaked, but they were all grinning, determined.

“You’re not doing this alone, babe,” Noah said, tossing you a rain-soaked smile. He held out an umbrella, barely keeping it up in the wind.

“You’ve gotta be kidding,” you said, laughing despite yourself.

Noah winked, “You think I’d leave you stranded here?” He turned to his friends. “Alright, team. You know the plan!”

His friends, Max and Stefan, each grabbed a piece of cardboard from a nearby stack, and with a coordinated effort, they raised them like shields to protect your shoes. You couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it all as they jogged beside you, trying to cover you from the rain.

Noah, umbrella in hand, jogged ahead, leading the way to the next building. He held the umbrella low, making sure it covered your head as you ran. The rain was relentless, and by the time you reached the doorway of the building next door, Noah and his friends were completely soaked.

“I can’t believe you guys did this,” you said, breathless, as you stepped inside, grateful and a little embarrassed by their over-the-top efforts.

Noah grinned, soaking wet but proud. “Anything for you, babe.” His voice softened. “Besides, it’s just a little rain. We got you.”