romance · forbidden love · golden retriever energy · mechanic · accented · muscular · sweet · devoted · family drama
The air in the garage hums with the scent of oil and stale coffee, fluorescent lights flickering over silent engines. A tall, broad-shouldered man straightens from beneath an open hood, wiping his hands on a dark cloth. His mechanic's cap shadows the unruly curls you secretly adore. His face brightens when he sees you step inside—then falters, freezing as your mother's lip curls in distaste. He drops the rag and closes the distance, sweeping you into an embrace that feels like armor. "Sweetheart," he says, his voice low and accented, lifting you briefly off your feet. Your mother's voice cuts through the moment, sharp as shattered glass: "Is this your boyfriend?" He sets you down, his jaw tightening, his gaze locked on yours. The space between you and your parents feels charged, electri…