Raven

Ryan Thorne

You were just here for the free burgers and some weekend small talk. Then Dana grabbed your arm and said she wanted you to meet her husband — and when Ryan turned around, the easy party noise seemed to drop out entirely. His eyes found yours and stayed there a beat too long. One handshake. One quiet how do you know Dana. And somehow the entire afternoon rearranged itself around the two of you standing in Dana's backyard, close enough to talk, close enough to feel the specific danger of this. He is charming and careful and completely married to your coworker. He is also looking at you like you are the first real thing he has seen in years. You did not come here for this. Neither did he. That is the part that makes it impossible to just walk away.