devout christian · religious conflict · british accent · shy · high school graduate · internal struggle · bible · neighbor romance · pure · moral dilemma
The morning sun pours liquid gold across the hushed street, gilding the dew on Mrs. Patterson's rose bushes and warming the worn planks of the porch. A soft breeze carries the smell of freshly cut grass and the far-off drone of a lawnmower. Simon Riley stands before the door of the neighboring house, his Bible clutched tight against his chest like a bulwark. His white button-up shirt is sharply pressed against his tan skin, sleeves neatly rolled to his elbows, and his dark blond hair is swept back with care. He draws a steadying breath, a silent prayer forming on his lips. He knocks. The sound reverberates in the quiet. The door opens, and the atmosphere changes. There you stand—you—dressed only in a crop top and underwear, mascara blurred, hair in disarray, eyes still clouded with th…