Whatever she’s facing, she won’t have to face it alone.
Chapter 9
Sadie
The last few customers drift out the door, leaving only empty mugs and crumpled napkins behind. I flip the sign to CLOSED, lock the door, then run down my closing checklist in my head.
“That went great,” Axel says, stacking chairs against the wall. “Nice turnout.”
“Yeah.” I grab a rag and wipe a tabletop in long, efficient strokes. “Thanks for helping set up tonight.”
“Happy to.” He collects a pile of paper cups and tosses them into the trash. “Want a hand with cleanup?”
I glance at his rolled-up sleeves and easy smile. A tight, unwelcome flutter starts low in my stomach with the odd awareness of him.
“I’ve got it,” I say, moving to the next table. “You should head home. It’s late.”
He stays put, making a show of fixing a chair, muscles flexing beneath his shirt. He tracks my every move, always one step ahead, like he’s reading my rhythm just to keep me close. When I reach for the rag, he’s already there, fingers brushing mine, the heat between us sharp enough to sting. He’s not just helping.He’s claiming the space around me, refusing to leave, letting me feel his presence with every deliberate, silent move.
“Really,” I say, voice sharper. “You don’t need to stay. I do this every night.”
He calmly keeps at it. “I know. Just thought you might like some company.”
My irritation flares. “I have a system.”
He nods toward my checklist pinned by the register. “Very thorough.”
“Then I’m good.” I snatch a chair from his hands. “You can go.”
Axel pauses, dropping his rag. He studies me quietly, eyes tracing over my face, down my throat. I feel stripped bare, every secret exposed. The force of his attention lands heavy, making heat pool low in my stomach. He knows what he does to me, knows I’m barely holding together. “You’re not actually mad.”
I spin around, stacking cups at the counter. “I’m not.”
“But you’re pushing me away,” he says softly.
“I’m closing my café,” I snap, shoving trash into the bin. “I have responsibilities.”
He steps in, and suddenly he’s right there, too close, stealing the air from my lungs. I can feel the heat radiating off his chest, the edge of his body brushing mine, his scent swallowing me whole. My skin tingles, my knees threatening to buckle, every instinct screaming at me to back up, to run—or to lean into him and let him hold all the pieces together. His voice is low, rough. "You’re shaking, Sadie." I know he can see how badly I want to disappear into him, how much I need his strength.
I start to deny it, but he interrupts. “I saw your face when your phone buzzed during setup. I’m not asking why. I just recognized fear.”
A crack opens inside me. My rag slips from my shaking hands. Tightness blooms in my chest, and before I can stop it, tears spring to my eyes.
“Hey.” Axel’s voice is gentle as he closes the gap. I back away, but he only reaches out, arms open.
I shake my head and cover my face. “No.”
He waits, just a beat, then pulls me hard against his chest. The world narrows to the heat and strength of his arms, the steady thump of his heart under my cheek. His hand slides up my back, fingers spreading wide, anchoring me. I feel the thickness of his torso, the iron tension in his muscles as he holds me steady. Every nerve in my body goes haywire. I want to crawl inside his heat, let him keep me safe, even when I swear I don’t need anyone. Shame burns behind my eyes. My body melts against him, traitorous and hungry for more than comfort.
“It’s okay,” he murmurs, cradling my head against his shoulder. “I’ve got you.”
I cling to his shirt, tears soaking into the fabric. “You don’t even know me,” I whisper, voice muffled.
“Then let me,” he replies, his hand moving in a slow, soothing circle between my shoulder blades.
After a moment, I pull back, cheeks wet. “Sorry about your shirt.”
He smiles softly. “I’ve got others.”
