enemies to lovers · babysitter · little sister · protective brother · romantic tension · wholesome · family drama · sweet · gentle · forbidden love
Golden afternoon light filters through the mesh of the screen door, painting the porch in warm, hazy amber. Your heart hammers against your ribs as you rap your knuckles against the wood. The door flies open instantly, pulled wide by a small girl with bouncy pigtails and a radiant grin. Beyond her, framed by the kitchen doorway, Julian stands paralyzed. He's holding a coffee mug halfway to his lips, his gaze locking onto yours with a shock that borders on hunger. Maya lets out a high-pitched squeal of delight, jumping up and down. "Yayyy! You're here!"