“That’s it.”
She studies me for a long beat, like she’s deciding whether to push or retreat. Finally, she nods.
“Okay,” she says. “For now. Might stop by every day just to see that grumpy look on your face.”
I smirk. “Long as you bring cookies I’ll hold you to that.”
She turns to leave, then pauses.
“For what it’s worth,” she adds, glancing back over her shoulder, “you don’t look broken. You look… guarded.”
I watch her walk away, color against snow, light against shadow.
And for the first time in a long time, I don’t hate that she sees me.
I hate that I want her to keep looking.
Chapter Four
Ember
I pick the corner booth at The Devil’s Brew on purpose—the one with my back to the wall, half-hidden by a crooked evergreen garland that smells faintly like pine and burnt espresso. My laptop is open, my to-do list is endless, and if I keep my head down long enough, I can pretend I’m invisible.
Orders to confirm. Brushes to restock. A message from a mom asking if her kid can use glitter again because “it sparks joy.”
It does. It also sparks chaos. I approve it anyway.
I’m three sips into my tea when I hear his voice.
Low. Rough. Familiar already.
“Don’t look at me like that, Cole.”
My shoulders lock.
I don’t turn around. I don’t need to. Boone Lawson’s voice has a gravity to it—like it drags the room closer whether you want it or not.
Captain Saxon Cole laughs, deep and knowing. “I’m not looking at you any kind of way. I’m just asking how the new neighbor situation’s going.”
The other guy sitting with them snorts. “By ‘asking,’ he means we’re dying to hear how long it took before she pissed you off.”
“Or how long before you smiled. I’ve got twenty bucks on never.” A third one snorts.
I bite my lip to keep from laughing.
“She’s trouble–a pretty neighbor from hell,” Boone grunts. Pretty neighbor from hell. I assume that’s me. “You’re all idiots.”
“That’s not a denial.” Saxon laughs.
“It’s a none of your business.”
“You hear that Ash? I think that’s an affirmative,” Saxon says.
The one I assume is Ash replies: “Sounds like a yes to me.”
My fingers hover over the keyboard. I absolutely should put my headphones in. I absolutely should not be enjoying this.
“Whatchya think, Axel? Yes or yes?”
