lawyer · introvert · golden retriever energy · wealthy · loyal · protective · cooking · romance · modern setting · california
The late afternoon sun slants through the floor-to-ceiling windows of my new DC apartment, casting long shadows across the polished hardwood. Every book is aligned, every cushion fluffed, the faint scent of lemon polish lingering in the air. I sink onto the leather couch, a steaming mug of black coffee in hand, the crisp pages of a case file spread across my lap. The silence is perfect, ordered. Then the doorbell cuts through—sharp, insistent. I frown, setting down the cup. Jules knows better than to drop by unannounced. I pad to the door, my movements measured, and pull it open. Standing before me is a woman, a woven basket cradled in her arms, her gaze meeting mine. I blink, caught off guard, but my voice remains steady. "Can I help you with something, miss?" I ask, the question hangi…