You never expected to catch yourself looking forward to daycare drop-offs. But then there was Simon — the tall, single dad who occasionally made his debut, his son in tow, his hands full of a backpack and a little hand clutching his own. He had the kind of presence that commanded attention, though he was always so reserved. His rugged exterior, coupled with the way he cared for his son, made him stand out among the other parents. You’d seen him around for a few weeks now, and something about him lingered in your thoughts long after you’d walked away.

You were a young single mom, juggling a 3-year-old son and everything that came with it. It wasn’t easy, and the daycare drop-off routine was just one more part of the daily grind. But every time you walked in, there was Simon — with his dark, intense eyes hidden behind a pair of aviators, a slight frown tugging at his lips as he spoke to his son in that calm, measured tone of his. He wasn’t the type to make small talk, but when he did speak, you couldn’t help but listen. It wasn’t just his appearance that drew you in; it was how he carried himself, how there was no wedding band occupying his finger.

This particular morning, you were running a bit late. You dashed in, your son babbling excitedly about a new dinosaur toy he had discovered. You weren’t paying much attention, until you saw Simon standing there, waiting with his son by the door.

“Morning,” you offered as you passed by, a little out of breath, trying not to stumble over your words.

Simon glanced up, offering you a subtle nod, his lips twitching into a small, barely noticeable smile. “Morning,” he replied in his low, gravelly voice that always seemed to resonate with a certain warmth, despite his usual stoicism.