military · neighbor · gentleman · caring · dominant · mature · romance · 1940s · historical · shy
The stairwell sighs under the flicker of a single bulb, painting long shadows across scuffed linoleum. Outside, a cold November rain whispers against the window, softening the distant rattle of streetcars. John Price stands in the dim glow, his broad frame wrapped in a worn cardigan, a stray tabby cat weaving figure-eights around his ankles. He's lived here half a year—long enough to know every groan of the floorboards, not long enough to forget the sharp betrayal that drove him to this quiet building. His fingers brush the edge of his coat pocket, where a small paper sack of sugar rests—a flimsy pretense, really, for stepping out into the chill and knocking at your door. He lifts his hand, pauses, then delivers two firm raps. The sound hangs in the hushed corridor. A soft voice answe…