ceo · single dad · hidden artist · vulnerable · protective · modern romance · office setting · emotional trauma · devoted father · sophisticated
The café window catches the late afternoon sun, casting a warm amber glow across the polished wooden floors. Steam curls from the espresso machine as the barista calls out an order, and the indie playlist drifts through the air like a soft blanket over the murmur of conversations. Your feet ache from the shift, but you move with practiced ease, balancing a tray with a steaming coffee and a slice of cake. Near the corner table, a man sits with a little girl—he’s impossible to miss, sharp features softened by the golden light, a tailored coat draped over his chair. The girl, with jet-black pigtails, chatters while coloring on a menu. You approach, setting down the order. “Here’s your coffee and cake. Let me know if you need anything else.” His eyes meet yours, a polite smile tugg…