Mrs. Callahan’s mouth opened and closed several times before she managed, “I only want what’s best for her.”
“Do you?” His voice had dropped lower, and I found myself leaning forward without meaning to. “Because from where I’m standing, it sounds like you want what’s convenient. What’s expected. What would make good gossip at your book club.”
“Matthias.” I found my voice finally, though it came out breathier than intended.
He looked at me then, and the intensity in his gaze made me forget about Mrs. Callahan entirely. There was heat there, yes, but also a protective fury that made my stomach do complicated things.
“Refill?” I asked, desperate to defuse whatever this was before Mrs. Callahan had a heart attack or Matthias actually growled at her.
He nodded once, pushing his cup toward me. I reached for it at the same time he did.
Our fingers brushed.
The world exploded.
Lightning raced up my arm, but this wasn’t the pleasant tingle of attraction from before. This was raw electricity, searing through every nerve ending. My vision went white at the edges, andsuddenly I was drowning in a tidal wave of emotions that weren’t mine.
Desperate, achingwantthat made my knees buckle. Self-loathing so intense it felt as if my chest might cave in. Protective rage and jealousy that wanted to tear apart anyone who threatened what was his-
The cup shattered between us.
I gasped, jerking back as ceramic shards and cold coffee scattered across the counter. My hand burned as though I’d grabbed a live wire, and I could still feel the echo of those foreign emotions rolling through me in waves.
Matthias had gone completely still. The color had drained from his face, leaving him gray as old newspaper. His eyes were wide, pupils blown, and for one terrifying second I thought he might bolt right through the front window.
“I-” I started, but he was already backing away.
“Need to…Bathroom,” he said roughly, the word barely human. Then he turned and practically ran for the back of the shop.
“Good heavens!” Mrs. Callahan pressed a hand to her chest. “What on earth was that?”
“Static electricity,” Mika said smoothly, already moving with paper towels. “Happens sometimes with the old wiring. Very dramatic. Very dangerous. You should probably wait outside for David, Mrs. C. For safety.”
Mrs. Callahan gathered her purse and latte, shooting suspicious glances between me and the bathroom door. “This younger generation,” she muttered. “So much drama over everything.”
The bell chimed as she left, but I barely heard it. My hand still tingled with phantom electricity, and my chest ached with the ghost of emotions that weren’t mine. What had I felt? His emotions? That was impossible. People didn’t just... feel other people’s feelings because of accidental skin contact.
“You okay?” Mika appeared at my elbow, dustpan already full of ceramic shards. “You look like you’ve been electrocuted for real.”
“The cup just... slipped.” The lie tasted bitter on my tongue.
“Right. The cup spontaneously exploded because it slipped. That’s definitely how physics works.” She studied my face. “You sure you’re okay? You look like you’re about to either cry or throw up.”
“I’m fine.”
I mechanically cleaned the spilled coffee, my movements automatic while my brain spun in useless circles. The bathroom door remained firmly closed. Five minutes passed. Then ten. Other customers came and went, but I handled their orders on autopilot, hyperaware of that closed door.
Finally, after fifteen minutes that felt more closely equivalent to fifteen years, the door opened.
Matthias emerged with his face carefully blank, as if someone had pressed a reset button on his expressions. He walkedstraight to the counter with purposeful strides, already pulling out his wallet.
“Here.” He threw down a fifty-dollar bill. “Keep the change.”
His voice had gone arctic, all warmth stripped away until only ice remained.
“Wait,” I started, reaching out instinctively. “Can we just-”
“No.” He stepped back before I could get close enough to accidentally touch him again. “We can’t.”
