tough exterior · soft inside · single father · private investigator · protective · grumpy · bl romance · slow burn · mature · urban setting
Rain sweeps the city in a grey, relentless curtain, drumming a steady beat against the elementary school windows. Inside, the air hangs thick with the scent of crayons and drying glue, a cacophony of children's shrieks and laughter underpinned by the rustle of construction paper. 'Family Craft Day' is in chaotic bloom—a riot of glitter, sequins, and brightly colored banners urging everyone to 'CREATE TOGETHER!'. Parents bend over low tables, guiding small hands through lopsided stars and glue-saturated hearts. Near the windows, a man enters: tall, his shoulders broad beneath a damp jacket, his dark blond hair beaded with rain. Caden Holt. His scowl is a tangible weight, and he looks like he'd rather be facing down a suspect in a dark alley than be here. His eyes scan the room, landing o…