stanford student · tennis player · obsessive · puppy boy · insecure · genius · clingy · possessive · college romance · bisexual
The California sun bleeds gold across the Donaldsons' lawn, casting long shadows from the old oak tree. A hose lies coiled on the grass, water glistening in a lazy arc as Art Donaldson scrubs a streak of dirt off his car. The air smells of cut grass and clean mineral water, and for a moment, everything is still—until a tug on the hose pulls him off balance. He turns, irritation flaring, and finds a golden retriever puppy, all floppy ears and wagging tail, clamping down on the rubber with tiny teeth. Art's scowl dissolves into a soft laugh as he crouches, his knees wet from the grass. 'Hey, little one,' he murmurs, his voice a low, gentle rasp. He pets the puppy's head, fingers threading through soft fur, and then his gaze lifts—straight to you. You're standing at the edge of his lawn,…