Panic swallows my lungs whole.
“I just need a quick statement?—”
“Let go of me,” I choke out. The words come out thinner than I intend. They’re shaky from the fear gripping me like a vice.
The cameras keep flashing.
Questions overlap like everyone is firing them at me.
I can’t breathe.
My chest tightens violently as adrenaline crashes through my bloodstream.
People are staring now.
The sidewalk suddenly feels too crowded. Too small.
Still, I manage to say, “I said let go.”
“Hey.” A male voice cuts cleanly through the chaos, his voice sharp and controlled.
The reporter startles slightly as someone steps between the cameraman and me, then proceeds to pull the reporter’s hand from my arm.
I look up, relief nearly making my knees buckle.
Tony.
ThePine & Steambarista plants himself calmly in front of me, broad shoulders blocking the cameras.
“She said back up.”
The reporter bristles. “We’re just asking a few?—”
“And she said no.” Tony’s voice never rises, which somehow makes it more effective. “She’s clearly uncomfortable.”
The cameraman hesitates.
Tony glances at me briefly, his expression softening. “You okay?”
No. I’m absolutely not.
But I nod because words currently feel impossible.
Tony notices right away.
“Come on,” he says gently. “Let’s get inside.”
He guides me carefully towardPine & Steamwhile physically shielding me from the cameras still trying to follow.
My breathing stays uneven the entire way.
The second we step inside the coffee shop, warmth and the scent of espresso hit me all at once.
The noise outside cuts off behind the door.
My legs feel weak.
“Whoa—hey.” His hand lightly steadies my elbow. “Easy.”
