“No,” I said, clearing my throat. “No, it’s not taken.”
His smile deepened, slow and genuine.
“Good,” he said. “Because I was really hoping you’d say that.”
He pulled out the chair and sat down, settling across from me like it was the most natural thing in the world.
And God help me, it felt exactly right.
15
ALEX
The bell above the coffee shop door chimed as I stepped inside, and instantly the smell of espresso and sugar hit me. Normally, I liked it here with Belle’s sarcastic commentary, the cozy tables, and the chance to grab a cookie before rehearsal.
But today?
Today I was here for one reason.
Well . . . oneperson.
Ever since our date, I hadn’t been able to get her out of my head. The way she laughed, the way she tucked her long blonde hair behind her ear when she was nervous, the way her eyes softened when she talked about Ava. Even the moment outside her car, when she’d stopped the kiss, it hadn’t scared me off. If anything, it made me like her more.
Slow.
I could do slow.
I ordered my coffee, fingers drumming lightly against the counter.
Belle raised an eyebrow at me, smirking like she’d been waiting for this exact moment.
“Are you meeting someone?” she asked, sliding a cup toward me.
I tried to be casual. Failed miserably.
“I don’t know what you're talking about.”
“Mm-hmm.” She leaned on the counter. “Tall, gorgeous viking queen, emotionally unavailable but in like . . . a sexy way?”
I narrowed my eyes. “Belle.”
She grinned. “Don’t worry. She’s here.”
My heart did a stupid, traitorous flip.
I turned, scanning the tables, and there she was.
Tucked in the corner, hair falling around her face, pencil tapping as she sketched in a way that made the whole world seem softer around her. She looked peaceful. Focused. Beautiful.
“Go,” Belle whispered dramatically. “Before I go ask her out myself.”
I gave her a look.
She winked.
I took a breath, grabbed my coffee, and headed toward the corner table.
Each step felt ridiculous, like I was sixteen again, approaching the girl I’d been crushing on for months. My palms were sweating. My stomach was a mess. And I still couldn’t stop smiling.
