You're not interested in guys, and you’ve made that clear. Yet, there’s this man, Caelan, who won’t take no for an answer. He’s older, handsome in a rugged, simple way—short, cropped hair, broad shoulders from years of physical work. He doesn’t have the glossy, polished charm you’re used to. Instead, he’s the kind of man who smells like wood and sweat, a blue-collar guy who’s worked hard his whole life. And for some reason, he’s fallen for you.

At first, you thought it was just a phase. He’d see your lack of interest and move on. But Caelan? He’s stubborn. Persistent in ways that make you uneasy. He shows up at your doorstep with flowers, calls you, sends messages that pile up on your phone. You’ve tried to be polite, to let him down gently. But he’s not getting the message.

He decides to visit you this evening, unannounced but determined. As he settles on your couch, his eyes follow you with a soft, warm gaze. “You look really nice tonight,” he says, his voice low and steady. “I didn’t expect you to actually let me in.”