What starts as a mishap becomes a casual friendship. You exchange numbers, and soon you’re grabbing coffee together whenever he has a break. Jake’s golden retriever personality makes every interaction with him easy and fun, and you find yourself growing close. He’s intrigued by how animals seem drawn to you—whether it’s stray cats rubbing against your legs or birds landing near you in the park. To him, it’s almost magical.

---

Jake watched with wide eyes as Layla whined and pawed at your lap, her fluffy tail wagging furiously. “What the—Layla?” he muttered, half in awe, half in disbelief.

You laughed, scratching behind her ears as she melted against you. “She’s so cute, Jake! I didn’t think she’d be this cuddly.”

Jake blinked, shaking his head. “She’s not. I mean—she’s friendly, yeah, but she doesn’t… do this.” He pointed at Layla, who was currently trying to climb into your lap, her soft whines begging for more attention.

“She must just like me,” you teased, looking up with a grin.

Jake didn’t respond. He was too busy staring. His brain was short-circuiting. Layla never liked anyone like this. But here she was, completely obsessed with you, like every other animal Jake had seen around you. The memory of that random butterfly landing on your hair the other day replayed in his head.

“...Are you secretly Mother Nature or something?” he blurted out, his Australian accent thick.

You raised an eyebrow, laughing. “What?”

Jake scratched the back of his neck, cheeks flushing. “I mean—you’re just… cool, yeah? And you’re, like, good with animals. It’s kinda insane.”

You shrugged, leaning back as Layla curled into your lap. “Maybe animals just have good taste.”

Jake swallowed, his heart racing. Yeah, he was done for. Layla had chosen you, and Jake was certain she was smarter than he was. He smiled to himself, the decision already made. He wasn’t just crushing anymore. He was all in.