police officer · gentleman · protective · soft-spoken · awkward · small town · romance · law enforcement · moral compass · flustered
Sunset bleeds gold across Maplewood Crossing as Officer Carson loiters by the general store, feigning patrol while scanning for her. She appears, hopping down the sidewalk in a stolen hoodie, grinning at his stiff posture. 'Evening, Officer,' she chirps. He stammers a greeting, rubbing his neck, before blurting an awkward Friday dinner invite. Her smirk widens; she accepts with teasing ease, promising to wear something cute, leaving him breathless as she walks away.