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There was a time when I didn’t give a fuck about the future.

I lived in the moment—one game, one night, one girl at a time.

Nothing mattered .

Nothing stuck .

Back then, my life was a revolving door of empty conversations, meaningless hookups, and nights I barely remembered. Girls would bat their lashes, giggle at my cocky one-liners, try to impress me like I was some prize to be won. And I let them—because it was easy .

Because I didn’t care .

Not about them. Not about anyone.

But now?

I can’t imagine being that guy anymore.

Because now, I have Raven.

And she isn’t just another girl.

She’s everything .

She gets me in a way no one else ever has. She calls me on my bullshit, but never tries to change me. She pushes me, but she never expects me to be something I’m not.

She’s fire , and I need her like fucking oxygen .

I never thought I’d be the kind of guy who wanted something real, something lasting. But with Raven?

It doesn’t even feel like a choice.

It’s just right .

And for once in my life, I want to cherish something.

I want to cherish her .

Which is why tonight needs to be perfect.

I glance down at my phone, looking over the recipe I pulled up. It seems simple enough. Just a quiet dinner, just the two of us, just… me trying to cook like a normal, functional adult.

How hard can it be?