Chapter 5 #2
Axel’s still in the back, chopping vegetables. Lizzy nods to me. “You survived your first dinner rush.”
“Barely,” I joke.
“It’s nice having you here,” she says.
“Thanks. I’m glad Axel invited me.”
“How do you two know each other?”
How to answer. “Um … well, we’re just combining forces … for a charity benefit. “
She gives me a knowing grin. “Uh-huh. Sure you are.”
My face flames. “Really. That’s all.”
She perches a hand on her hip. “Pity. You’re a much better fit for him than that diva blogger.”
“Zoe?” I ask before I can stop myself.
Lizzy scoffs. “That’s the one. She came here once and spent the whole night glued to her phone—except when she wanted to do a photo op for her fans.”
“Wow,” I utter, my distaste for Zoe Reynolds growing.
“Anyway,” Lizzy adds, “Axel deserves someone who’s down-to-earth. You seem like that kind of girl.”
I look down and adjust my gloves. “We’re not together.”
“Mm-hmm,” she purrs.
I clear my throat. “So, Axel volunteers here often?”
“Volunteers?” She chuckles. “That’s one way to put it.”
My curiosity sparks. “What do you mean?”
She leans closer and lowers her voice as she glances at the other two volunteers. They’re at the far end of the table, deep in conversation. “At the risk of Axel getting mad at me for blabbing, he started this place.”
I crease my brows. “Really?”
“Yep, he bought the church and turned it into an outreach center that provides basic necessities—showers, hygiene kits, winter coats, blankets, and gloves. We even give the occasional person a place to stay for the night. He also funds the soup kitchen.”
Shock ripples through me. “He does all that?”
She nods. “The man’s too modest for his own good. He’s helped more people in this neighborhood than you could imagine, including me. I’d been out of work for six months when Axel hired me to run the center and the kitchen.”
I can only gape as her words sink in. The man I’ve been grilling in my column for his ginormous ego is the same one quietly taking care of the needy. It’s official. I’m a louse.
Lizzy gives me a shrewd smile. “Any girl would be lucky to have him.”
Before I can respond, more guests shuffle in. Lizzy claps her hands. “All right, folks, let’s get back to it.”
Later, Axel and I eat something. Then, after the soup kitchen is closed and the volunteers leave, we stay to help Lizzy clean up.
I come out of the restroom and go back into the kitchen.
Axel’s back is turned, and he’s speaking to Lizzy in a concerned tone.
I halt in my tracks, not wanting to interrupt. It sounds serious.
“Any word from Dex?”
Lizzy presses her lips together. “Not for a couple of weeks. You and I spoke on the phone right after he spent the night. I let him take a shower, gave him some clean clothes, and fed him. I haven’t seen him since.” Sympathy softens her features. “I’m sorry, I’ll keep a lookout for him.”
His shoulders fall. “Thanks for all you do.” He sounds worried, frustrated. Maybe even a little defeated.
“You bet. It’s what I’m here for.”
Lizzy looks past him and gives me a smile too bright for the tone of the conversation. I figure she’s trying to let Axel know that I’m in the room. “You should probably get this girl home. I’m sure she’s exhausted.”
Axel turns to face me and blinks in surprise. “Didn’t realize you’d come back in.”
“Yep,” I say lamely.
An awkward silence passes before Axel says, “We should get going.”
Questions percolate in my mind. Who’s Dex, and why’s Axel so concerned about him?
Axel looks at Lizzy. “Let me know if you need anything.”
“We have everything we need and then some … thanks to you.” She gives him an appreciative smile.
Axel looks uncomfortable, like he didn’t want me to hear that part. He’s certainly not one to brag about his good deeds. I’m still reeling from the news that he’s funding all of this.
We say goodbye to Lizzy and head outside, where snow flurries are swirling. We go around the building to get to the car. As I step onto the asphalt, my foot slips on black ice. I let out a yelp as I catch myself.
“Careful.” Axel steps close and takes hold of my arm. His nearness pulses awareness through me as we pick our way to the car. My tennis shoes have zero traction. I’m slipping and sliding all over the place.
He slips an arm around my waist. “Easy,” he says into my ear.
I go warm all over. The temperature has plummeted, but I have a heat wave going on. It’s rushing through my entire body, making me dizzy. I slide again. This time, I take Axel with me. He grunts in surprise, and I shriek. I land on my rear end and then fall to my back as he comes down on top of me.
Trying to get my bearings, I look up. His face is only an inch from mine, his warm breath puffing against my skin.
I expect him to be mortified by our predicament, but see something else.
The way he’s looking at me … well, it makes me forget that I’m pinned to the cold, hard asphalt.
This must be a dream. He’s no longer Axel Cox, the country music superstar, but Seth, the guy who captured my heart so long ago.
I’m wondering now if I ever truly got it back.
My breath comes faster as I part my lips.
“London,” he murmurs as if truly seeing me for the first time.
His wretched phone rings, breaking the spell.
He blinks as if realizing what he almost did. Then he shifts his weight and gets to his feet. He takes my hand and heaves me up. “Are you okay?” His voice is gruff.
“Yeah. Sorry about that.” His phone is still ringing.
“It keeps things interesting.” He gives me a fleeting grin and then pulls out his phone. “It’s Zoe.”
My heart deflates as I nod.
Rather than answering, he clicks the side button to silence the call and shoves the phone back into his pocket. He glances at his car with determination. “Almost there.”
Holding out my hands for balance, I make my way in that direction, nearly falling again.
He laughs and encircles my waist with his arm. “Slowly.”
When we reach the car, he helps me in before going around and sitting behind the wheel. Meanwhile, I rub my arms, shivering from the cold.
“It’ll take a bit for the heat to come on,” he says in apology.
His phone rings again. Zoe’s not giving up. “Maybe you should get it.”
“Nah, I’ll call her when I get home.”
It’s probably a good thing that Zoe called when she did. Kissing Axel would’ve been a huge mistake. And yet, I can’t help but be disappointed that nothing happened. He’s probably relieved that he didn’t unnecessarily complicate his life because of a spontaneous moment.
Finally, the heat in the car kicks in. I hold out my hands to warm them.
“I should probably drop you off at your house before the roads get bad. I can pick you up tomorrow morning after things thaw.”
Panic races through my veins. “No, that’s okay. I’ll just get my car. It’ll be easier that way.” My hotel isn’t far from his house. I could even walk there if I had to. Well, not in these old tennis shoes. I’d fall and break something, especially at the rate I’m going.
“I don’t mind taking you home.”
“It’s okay. I’m good.” I throw him a reassuring smile. “Let’s just go back to your place.”
After a long pause, he nods. “If you’re sure.”
“I’m sure.” He has to be wondering what this is about, but thankfully, he doesn’t press me.
When we pull into his garage, I throw open the door and scramble out … intent on making my escape before he can ask questions I can’t answer. “Thanks for everything,” I say over my shoulder.
“London.”
I turn to face him. “Yeah?”
“Thanks for going tonight. It means a lot.”
Our gazes catch and hold. There’s something significant in his eyes.
Once again, attraction floods me. Somehow, I manage to find my voice. “You’re welcome. I’m sorry about earlier … the fall … and the rest …”
A slow smile moves over his mouth. “I’m not.”
“Really?” I jerk in surprise, nearly falling again.
He chuckles and holds out a hand. “Careful. Do you need help getting to your car?”
“I’ve got it.” More cautiously this time, I turn and go to my car without incident.
He watches as I start the engine and drive away.