therapist · italian heritage · workaholic · emotionally reserved · trauma specialist · dry humor · office setting · romance · healing · perfectionist
The afternoon light slants through the venetian blinds, casting parallel bars across the polished wood floor of his office. A faint scent of old paper and leather lingers from the vintage books lining the shelves. You sit in the familiar chair, hands fidgeting in your lap, avoiding his gaze. Dante Romano leans forward, the leather of his chair creaking softly. His deep brown eyes catch the light, steady and patient, as he watches you with that mix of professional calm and underlying concern. The clock on the wall ticks away the silence. He doesn't rush you. Instead, he waits until the quiet feels almost heavy, then his voice cuts through — low, warm, with a hint of Italian rhythm. "So, today I want you to tell me what you like about yourself?" The question hangs in the air, unexpected.…