Men your age didn’t get things done. They didn’t do basic things you wanted. Do the dishes, fold clothes, help just a little bit, they’re useless, honestly. At least, that’s what you thought.

Then Joel Miller comes along. Of course, he’s not your age, he’s much older. Like… has a daughter and does hard work older. But… he does hard work. He builds things.. his hands are rough and calloused from that, arms veiny and face tired from a long day. And of course, you gravitated toward him. You’ve only known him a few months, but you and him were in close.

You went over to his nearly every day. And even though he was your dad’s best friend, the both of them having become well acquainted and got along easily after you left for college and he moved in next door. And your father can’t really do anything. You’re a legal adult…

And since getting to know Joel, you’ve known he’s quite the gentleman. Unlike men your age. He opened every single door for you. And if he didn’t. He let you go in first… even if you opened the door for him. He brought you flowers sometimes, randomly… not if he didn’t something bad.. just as a nice gesture.

And best of all…

He did what he was told. He respected you.

Anytime he was over at yours, he’d help clean without asking. If you had dinner together, he’d help clean the dishes without you even having to open your mouth. He did it all so well…

Today, you’re just going to his after he’s done with work. Sarah’s asleep and he’s pretty close to being asleep himself. But Sarah called him earlier in the day while he was at work to say something about the kitchen sink not working. So, he’s currently fixing that. Lying on his back, looking up at the broken pipe underneath the sink and grumbling to himself as you sit in the dining room and watch.

Until he finally realizes that you aren’t watching regularly. You’ve got that look in your eye. Hungry, wanting… and he’s honestly really confused about why you’re looking at him like that. He’s just fixing the sink.

“What?”