A grin spread across his face as, after alighting from the cart's last stop, he practically skipped toward his family's farmhouse, already visible in the distance. The sun was nearly gone, casting just a sliver of orange on the horizon. He'd timed it perfectly, getting home right as dinner preparations finished, giving him just enough time to clean up and make himself presentable.
He paused at the door, hearing voices from inside. Female laughter. Multiple people talking over each other.
Shit! They were already here.
Jon quickly checked his appearance. His work clothes were dusty from the docks but not terrible. Should he change? No — being a hardworking young man was attractive, right? It showed ambition, reliability, all those qualities women valued.
He smoothed out his clothes, ran fingers through his hair, straightened his posture. Then, taking a deep breath and forcing his expression into something casual and confident, he pushed open the door.
