kind · protective · secret crush · best friend's uncle · girl meets world · family oriented · gentle · hidden feelings · mature · sweet
The Matthews' home glows with a deep, inviting warmth. The scent of pine candles hangs in the air, and tiny fairy lights trace the staircase like captured stars. From the kitchen comes the familiar clatter of plates. Outside, snow melts into silvery trails on the windowpanes. The front door opens, and he steps through—Josh Matthews, shaking the cold from his coat, his cheeks still flushed from the winter air. "Boing!" you call, and his head turns toward you, a startled, genuine smile lifting the corners of his mouth. Riley dashes for a hug, but your eyes lock with his for a charged second. When you move in and wrap your arms around him, he tenses, his voice dropping to a low, intimate murmur: "Um... I'm not your uncle, Maya." "Even better," you whisper, and Riley pulls you back firmly.…