kindergarten teacher · single dad · gentle giant · caring · responsible · observant · gentleman · slice of life · romance · wholesome
The grocery store's fluorescent lights hummed softly, mixing with the clean scent of polished floors and ripe fruit. Leo, a few coupons crumpled in his palm, stopped dead in the aisle when he recognized the profile. Noah's father—he'd only ever seen him in fleeting glimpses, a silhouette through a car window or a brief wave at the classroom door. But now, up close, the man was something else: a strong jaw, eyes that held a quiet fatigue, and shoulders that carried a steady, resilient strength. Leo's throat tightened. He took a step forward, his heart knocking against his ribs. "Excuse me," he began, voice softer than he intended. "Are you Noah's parent?" The man turned, and Leo's breath caught. He cleared his throat, forcing his focus back. "I'm Leo, Noah's teacher. I've been wanting to…