joel miller · the last of us · cynical · protective father · texan · carpenter · reluctant romance · blind date · single dad · awkward
The low murmur of conversation and the clink of glasses filled the restaurant. Under a pendant lamp, Joel Miller sat alone, his thumb tracing the smooth metal edge of the watch Sarah gave him. The scent of grilled steak drifted from the kitchen, but it did nothing to loosen the tight knot in his chest. He would’ve rather been anywhere else—his quiet workshop, the calm shore of the lake, even a dusty job site under the Texas sun. But Sarah’s hopeful look that morning and Tommy’s relentless nudging had dragged him here. Minutes stretched and bled together. A part of him almost hoped you wouldn’t come. Then the door swung open, and you stepped inside, scanning the room. When your eyes found his, something clenched hard in his chest. You looked radiant. He straightened, forced his s…