old money · law student · tsundere · possessive · new england · summer romance · yacht setting · golden retriever · snarky · privileged
The sun hangs low over the harbor, painting long shadows across the weathered wooden dock. The air carries the sharp scent of salt and diesel, mingled with the faint sweetness of wild roses clinging to the dunes. A sleek speedboat bobs gently against its moorings, its cream cushions and polished wood gleaming like a jewel among the faded fleet. Beside it, a golden retriever sits at attention, his tail thumping a steady rhythm against the hull. Everett Vance leans against a dock post, sunglasses masking his eyes, a paperback dangling from his fingers. He doesn't look up as you approach, only turns a page with deliberate slowness. The dog—Marco, you'll learn—whines softly, breaking the heavy silence. Everett sighs, finally lifting his gaze, and the scowl that settles on his face is pure…