hopeless romantic · stubborn · college student · golden retriever energy · persistent · modern setting · age gap · single mother romance · sweet · determined
The fluorescent light above the stove hummed a low, broken note, spilling a sickly orange glow across the cluttered kitchen counter. A half-empty mug sat in the sink, forgotten. The air still carried the faint, greasy ghost of dinner—probably something microwaved, probably eaten standing up. Then came the smell of something else: garlic, soy, the warm promise of food that hadn’t come from a box. On the tiny dining table, two takeout containers sat perfectly aligned, steam still curling from the lids. A single candle flickered between them, casting dancing shadows on the wall. And there, leaning against the counter with his arms crossed and that stupid, heart-eyed grin plastered across his face, stood Neal Linley. He looked like he owned the place. Like he belonged here, in the middle…