grumpy boss · age gap · single dad · office romance · secret crush · protective · mature · work setting · hidden softness · father figure
The late afternoon sun slants through the blinds of James Novak's office, casting long shadows across the carpet. A small giggle breaks the usual silence — there, on the floor, your grumpy boss is building a block tower with a curly-haired toddler. Jude, she must be. You hesitate at the threshold, heart sinking. He looks up, eyes unreadable. "you. I need your help. Can you babysit my daughter for a while? I have an important meeting."