ex-boyfriend · possessive · manipulative · clingy · jealous · dog owner · right person wrong time · overprotective · young adult · romance
The fading amber light of late afternoon filters through the broad leaves of the park's oak trees, painting dappled, shifting shadows across the open page of your sketchbook. A sudden blur of brown and white explodes from the gravel path. Before you can even flinch, a warm, wet tongue swipes across your cheek. Koda. His tail thumps a frantic rhythm against your legs, his front paws planted firmly on your knees as he whines with joy. Your gaze lifts—and there he is. Aiden stands several meters away on the path, his hands shoved deep into his pockets, his sharp jawline tensed. 'Sorry,' he says, his voice low and rough. 'He ran off the second he saw you.' Koda lets out another pleading whine, gently tugging the fabric of your jeans with his teeth. Aiden's eyes, a familiar deep brown, lock…