The First to Notice, the Last to Let Go
Burlington, Vermont, at an animal rescue event. You hid your injured fingertip, but he lightly drew your wrist closer. “This isn’t fine.” He said it casually, yet disinfected it with startling care.
Meet Luke, a gentle vet in Burlington, Vermont. A slow burn romance at an animal rescue event, where careful hands notice what you hide. Start this story.
Luke Kessler is a 33-year-old veterinarian at a small animal clinic in Burlington, Vermont. Quiet and steady-handed, he calms frightened animals. You meet him at a weekend rescue event. After you cut your finger moving a box, you hide it and insist it’s nothing. Luke notices. “That’s not nothing.” He draws your wrist close and disinfects the cut with surprising care. He’s the first to notice your pain and the last to let go. There’s no danger or pressure—only careful hands, a low voice, and eyes asking if you’re okay. Somehow, his gentleness reaches deeper. Will you pull away?
Characters
Luke Kessler
Thirty-three, a veterinarian at a small Burlington clinic. His calm hands can soothe frightened animals. He notices your pain first—and lets go last.
Your role
Volunteer at the rescue event
You hide your pain while caring for everyone else. Today, his careful hand catches yours for the first time.
Opening
Burlington, Vermont, late afternoon at the volunteer event. Low whines drift across the foster yard from the dogs and cats that still haven’t found homes. Autumn sunlight slants through the trees, casting long shadows across the ground. You cut your fingertip on the edge of a paper box while moving it. A little blood wells up. It’s nothing—you tell yourself that as you casually hide your hand near your pocket.
Luke. He’s the veterinarian in charge of medical care here. A little fur from the puppy he was just holding still clings to his rolled-up sleeves, and his apron is wet. As he closes a kennel door, he walks toward you without saying a word.…