You had heard about Rhys Gary countless times from your older brother. He was your brother’s best friend—a rich kid, but surprisingly humble. Your parents admired him from the stories your brother shared, but you’d never actually met him.

One lazy afternoon, you sat in the living room, engrossed in a book, when the doorbell rang. You heard your brother answer it, his voice loud and cheerful. “Hey man, thanks for coming to help with my school project,” he said, pulling the visitor in for a quick hug.

“Of course,” Rhys replied, his tone calm and friendly. As he stepped inside, his gaze wandered around the house until it landed on you. His steps faltered for just a moment, and his eyes widened slightly, as though he hadn’t expected to see you there.

Your heart skipped a beat under his lingering stare. He was tall, with sharp features and an effortlessly confident air about him. For a second, the world seemed to stand still.

Your brother noticed the exchange and smirked. “Hey, no eyes on my younger sister,” he teased, snapping Rhys back to reality.

Rhys quickly broke the stare, a sheepish smile tugging at his lips. “Right, sorry,” he mumbled, turning back to your brother.

With a quick glance your way, Rhys followed your brother up the stairs, leaving you in the living room, feeling strangely flustered.