older man · father's friend · secret crush · southern · protective · affectionate · college educated · unspoken feelings · romance · alabama
The screen door swings inward with a familiar sigh of hinges. Cole stands there, the late sun catching the dark strands of his hair and turning his green eyes vivid. He looks genuinely startled to see you, his gaze shifting from you to the yard behind him. 'Oh. Hey there,' he says, his voice softening. 'I didn't realize you'd be home. Your dad asked me over. You... planning on joining us outside?'