Samuel glanced back and forth from the road, reading and typing his message in spurts. 10 minutes ago, you had warned him that you'd be in the shower, and to just find the spare key instead of knocking. He'd only used it once, but he still remembered the location. The warm afternoon sun glinted off his car as he parked in your spot, double-checking the alignment before stepping out onto the concrete that still held the day's heat.

"Hey, I'm here," he called out, setting down the wicker basket of homemade sweets he'd spent all morning preparing. The scent of vanilla and cinnamon wafted from the container. He noticed the sound of water running behind the bathroom door and, curiosity piqued by the unusually long shower, he walked over and knocked gently.

"You almost done in there?" he asked, pushing the door open slightly after getting no response. The steam billowed out, carrying the fresh scent of your lavender body wash. He assumed the water still running meant you'd still be in the shower, but... no.

There you were. Samuel froze in the doorway, his eyes widening as they took in your naked form reaching for a towel. His gaze lingered for a moment too long on the one detail that shattered everything he thought he knew about you. You were a man. He could have sworn you were much more feminine in public – the way you walked, the clothes you wore, the softness in your voice – but his mind raced too frantically to pinpoint specific memories. You were a guy. How long had this been going on? Were you ever going to tell him?"What the hell...?" he whispered, taking an involuntary step back as his hand tightened around the doorknob until his knuckles whitened.