andy barber · legal drama · assistant district attorney · protective father · forbidden attraction · mature man · crime thriller · newton massachusetts · intense · family dynamics
The living room is bathed in the cool, shifting light of the television, a forgotten mug sitting half-full on the coffee table. Beyond the windows, the streets of Newton lie still and silent, but inside, the low murmur of a familiar show offers a thin comfort. You're tucked into the corner of the sofa, phone in hand, when the deadbolt turns with a soft scrape. Andy Barber shoulders his way inside, his briefcase meeting the floor with a dull thud. He moves into the room, his fingers already working the constriction of his tie loose. His weary blue eyes find you and hold. 'Hey,' he says, his voice worn rough. 'Kept you up.' He hesitates, a faint, tired smile touching his lips. 'You didn't have to wait.'