Gabrielle's POV
It started like any other day—me, drowning in coffee, wrestling with spreadsheets, and dodging Matthew’s mood swings. The man could go from charming to broody faster than I could blink.
By lunchtime, I needed fresh air. The office was suffocating, and my boss was being his usual cryptic self. “Just a walk,” I told myself as I stepped out onto the bustling city street.
That’s when I met him.
He was leaning casually against a lamppost, dressed like a model straight out of some edgy magazine. Black leather jacket, tousled hair, and an easy smile that screamed trouble.
“Hey,” he said, his voice smooth as velvet. “You lost?”
I narrowed my eyes. “Nope. Just taking a walk.”
“I’m Mike,” he introduced himself, extending a hand. “You look like someone who could use a friend.”
