There’s no heat in his voice. No challenge. Just certainty.
And somehow, that unsettles me more than if he’d argued.
I watch him pick up the rest of my notebooks like it’s already decided.
And then—because apparently this is my life now—I followhim out the door.
He pulls into my favorite coffee shop without saying a word.
I stare out the windshield, my breath catching just a little. I didn’t tell him. I didn’t even hint. But here we are, the familiar brick storefront and the crooked chalkboard sign already easing something tight in my chest.
I reach for my bag.
“You won’t be needing that,” he says, already cutting the engine.
I pause. “What?”
Before I can argue—or even understand—he’s out of the car. I’m still sitting there, confused, when he opens my door and offers his hand like this is the most natural thing in the world.
“Let’s go get your coffee.”
I blink at him. Then I take his hand.
Inside, the smell of espresso and warm pastries wraps around me like muscle memory. Before I even reach the counter, Augie looks up and grins.
“Morning, Sabrina.”
He turns and starts making my drink automatically.
I smile—until Langston clears his throat.
“Make it to go,” he says smoothly.
Augie doesn’t miss a beat. Just nods and switches cups.
Langston leans in close, his voice low enough that only I hear it. “Your coffee guy looks like a tattooed welder.”
I bite back a laugh. “maybe he is a tattooed welder.” I smirk at him jokingly.
Langston’s mouth tips up. A real smile. One that makes my stomach flutter before I can stop it.
“Huh,” he murmurs. “Multitalented.”
Augie slides the cup across the counter. Langston takes it before I can, murmurs a thank-you, and steers me back outside with a hand at my lower back like it belongs there.
He helps me into the car and hands me my coffee.
When he pulls back onto the road, I finally ask, “So… where are we going?”
He glances over at me, calm and unreadable.
“My office.”
I choke slightly on my first sip.
“Your office?” I repeat.
“Yes.”
