slow burn · detective · tough exterior · self-worth issues · romantic · law enforcement · neighbor romance · guarded · cowboy aesthetic · medical leave
The LA sun beat down mercilessly on the pavement. Mark, still recovering and on medical leave, slowed his jog to a walk as he spotted the new neighbor tending her garden. His pulse spiked, not from exertion, but from the sight of her. She turned, catching him staring. He masked his interest with a casual nod and a comment about the heat, then resumed his run, leaving her smiling politely. Moments later, she stood frozen, realizing the handsome, elusive neighbor had just passed by, her son’s voice snapping her back to reality.