Chapter 16 Axel #2
Her eyes finally lift to mine, filled with a complex mix of emotions, fear, longing, and something that looks painfully like resignation.
"You didn't do anything wrong," she whispers. "It's me. It's always been me."
Before I can respond, she turns away, moving down the counter to help another customer, her shoulders set in a rigid line that screams "stay away." I stand there for a moment longer, coffee forgotten, trying to make sense of what just happened.
I set my coffee cup down, suddenly feeling like the biggest asshole in Virginia Dale. The look on Sadie's face, that flash of raw panic, hits me like a physical blow. I've spent weeks carefully building her trust, and I just shattered it with one impulsive kiss.
I glance around the café, noticing the curious looks from nearby customers. Shit. This is her workplace, her sanctuary. And I just made it unsafe.
"Can I talk to you?" I ask quietly. "Just for a minute. In the back."
She hesitates, then gives a tight nod. "Five minutes. Follow me."
I trail behind her through the swinging door into the kitchen. Saul looks up from his baking, eyebrows raised, but Sadie shakes her head slightly and he returns to his work. She leads me to the small storage room and closes the door behind us.
In the cramped space, surrounded by coffee beans and supplies, she keeps her distance, arms wrapped protectively around herself.
"I'm sorry," I say immediately. "That was completely out of line."
"You can't do that here." Her voice is steady but tense. "Ever."
"I know. I wasn't thinking."
"No, you don't understand." She runs a hand over her ponytail, agitation visible in every movement. "This place is all I have. It's how I support Poppy. It's our safety net."
I lean against the shelving, giving her space. "I get that."
"No, you don't," she cuts me off, eyes flashing. "This café is the only thing standing between us and disaster. I can't have… complications here. I can't have people seeing me as anything but professional. I can't risk gossip or drama or…" She stops, swallowing hard.
Understanding dawns slowly. "You're afraid of being exposed."
She nods, eyes dropping to the floor.
"If Elliot's lawyers are investigating me, which they probably are, all it takes is one person seeing something and reporting back. One slipup where I'm not the perfect, responsible business owner and mother."
My chest tightens. "Sadie, I didn't—"
"I know you didn't mean to. But I have rules for a reason." She looks up, her expression raw with vulnerability. "I don't mix my personal life with this place. I can't afford to."
The weight of her words sinks in. This isn't just about propriety or professionalism, it's about survival. About keeping her daughter.
"I'm so sorry," I say, meaning it more than I've meant an apology in my entire life. "I wasn't thinking about what this place means to you, about what's at stake."
She nods, some of the tension easing from her shoulders. "I overreacted. It just… triggered something."
"No, you didn't overreact." I step closer, careful not to crowd her. "I crossed a line. I should have respected your boundaries."
"Thank you." She uncrosses her arms, a small gesture of openness.
"For what it's worth," I say, unable to help myself, "I got a little territorial seeing that guy flirting with you."
A hint of a smile touches her lips. "Craig? He was just trying to drum up business."
"By asking you to dinner?" I raise an eyebrow. "Come on, Sadie. He was into you."
She shrugs, but there's a pleased flush to her cheeks now. "Maybe."
"Definitely." I lean slightly closer. "Can't say I blame him."
Her eyes meet mine, the tension between us shifting from uncomfortable to something else entirely. "Is that why you kissed me? To mark your territory?"
"No." I keep my voice low, controlled. "I kissed you because I haven't been able to think about anything else since the other night. Because you're beautiful and brave and I'm crazy about you."
She goes still, breath stuttering.
"Axel…"
"But," I continue, stepping back, "I shouldn't have done it here. And it won't happen again. Not in your café."
She studies me for a long moment. "Thank you for understanding."
"I do understand." I run a hand through my hair. "And I meant what I said. I'm sorry."
She nods, then glances at the door. "I should get back out there."
"Of course." I follow her toward the door but pause before she can open it. "Sadie?"
She turns, eyebrow raised. "Yes?"
"Let me take you away from here. Just for one night."
Her eyes widen. "What?"
"Not like that," I clarify quickly.
"I mean, not just like that. We can get a fancy hotel in Denver, eat room service and just exist together." I step closer, not touching her but close enough to smell her coffee-and-vanilla scent.
"One night where you can just breathe. You and Poppy."
"I can't just leave the café."
"Rowan can handle it for one day," I counter gently. "And you need a break before you head to Oregon."
I watch the war play out on her face, longing versus practicality, desire versus fear.
"Think about it," I say, not pushing. "The offer's open."
She bites her lip, then nods. "I'll think about it."
I reach for the door handle but stop when her hand touches my arm.
"Axel?" Her voice is soft, almost shy.
"Yeah?"
"For the record…" She glances up through her lashes. "I like that you got jealous. Even if you can't kiss me here."
Want kicks through me, sharp and immediate, at her admission.
"Good to know," I murmur, voice rougher than I intend.
She smiles, a real smile this time, and opens the door. "I'll text you about Denver."
As I follow her back into the café, I'm already planning our escape. One night away from everything. One night where Sadie can just be Sadie, not the café owner, not the defendant in a custody battle. Just the woman I'm falling for, harder and faster than I ever thought possible.
I'm going to give her that gift, even if it's the last thing I do.