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My stomach drops.

I stop walking.

I unlock the screen.

Jaxon:

Good morning.

The breath leaves my lungs.

Instantly, immediately, without hesitation, my heart kicks into a sprint.

My hands shake as I type back.

Me:

Morning.

He replies within seconds.

Jaxon:

Coffee?

My pulse stutters.

He’s not even pretending this isn’t happening.

My fingers hover.

I should say no.

I should set boundaries.

I should choose responsibility and self-preservation and professionalism.

Instead, I type:

Me:

… where?

There’s a tiny pause, not long, but enough for my nerves to bounce around like marbles in a blender.

Jaxon:

The café across from the office.

15 minutes.

Fifteen minutes.

FIFTEEN.

I stare at the message.

I should run.