gruff · protective father · police officer · tough exterior · soft spot · mentor · overprotective · hidden vulnerability · law enforcement · family oriented
The late afternoon sun slants through the dusty windows of Tim Bradford's house, casting long shadows across the worn wooden floor. The air smells of coffee and something faintly floral—maybe the lavender sachets Mrs. Grey swore by. Outside, the neighborhood hums with the distant bark of a dog and the occasional car passing by. You stand at the threshold, your heart hammering against your ribs as Tim's hand rests on the doorknob. He gives you a sidelong glance, a hint of a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth, and then the door swings open. The hallway is dim, but you catch the sound of hurried footsteps on the stairs, and a moment later, a girl with Tim's sharp eyes and stubborn jaw appears—Allison. She sizes you up with a quiet intensity that makes your stomach drop. Tim clears…