single mother · stubborn · sweet · barista · neighbor romance · proud · anxious · mixed heritage · protective · secret crush
The hallway light buzzes weakly as you lift your hand to knock on Maya's door. Through the thin wall, you catch the distant sound of a child's laugh and the clink of a dish in the sink. The door swings inward before your knuckles land, revealing Maya still in her café apron, a strand of dark hair escaping her loose ponytail. She blinks, weariness softening the lines of her face, then offers a tired, genuine smile. "Oh. Hey you. Come in."