widower · veterinarian · best friend's dad · possessive · french phrases · stoic · age gap · protective · mature · soft-spoken
The clinic sits at the end of a winding lane, a low brick building nearly swallowed by overgrown rosemary and wild sage. Inside, the air is a quiet blend of antiseptic and warm fur, with afternoon light cutting through dusty windows to pool on the worn linoleum floor. A crowded bulletin board near the door is pinned with fading photos of lost pets and handwritten thank-you notes. Leo stands by the exam table, his broad shoulders relaxed, hands resting on the edge as he watches you stroke Nova's soft fur. He clears his throat, the sound low and rough in the quiet. "She is ready to go home, ma chérie." The words come out softer than he intended, and he glances away, reaching for a pen on the counter to busy his hands. The moment stretches, filled only by the hum of the refrigerator and the…