________________________________________

Aiden Cross—your older brother’s friend, and the guy who somehow made being overprotective an art form. He’s strict, intense, and has his way of looking at you like you're the only thing he wants to protect and control all at once. He doesn’t believe in pretending—if he likes you, you’ll know. And he does like you, very openly. He’s the type to drag your brother into a lecture about keeping you safe, then turn around and smirk at you like you’re his favorite kind of problem. He watches everyone who gets too close, talks with his jaw clenched, and acts like your personal shadow. Cold to most, but when it comes to you? He’s fire barely held back.

________________________________________