The way he makes me laugh when we're not fighting. The respect he shows for my mind, my skills. The vulnerability he showed when talking about his sister.
"Yeah," I admit. "I think I do. Which is insane because we've known each other for what, six weeks total?"
"Sometimes that's all it takes," Tiana says. "My parents knew each other for three weeks before they got married. They were together for thirty-five years before my dad died."
"That's different. They weren't in a mafia situation with people trying to kill them."
"True. But the feeling part is the same. When you know, you know."
"I don't know anything. I'm just scared and confused and falling for someone who might break my heart."
"Then be careful," Chloe says. "Protect yourself. But also give this a chance. Real feelings are rare. Don't run from them just because they're scary."
Tiana nods. "Follow your heart. Even if it leads somewhere unexpected."
A knock on the door interrupts us. Axel enters.
"Ladies, the car is ready whenever you are."
"We'll be down in five," Chloe says. Then, to my surprise, she looks Axel in the eye. "We need to talk."
He raises an eyebrow. "About?"
"About the fact that you're with our best friend. Which means if you hurt her, we hurt you."
"Chloe!" I screamed, mortified.
"I'm serious. We don't care how many guns you have or how scary you are. You break her heart, we break your kneecaps."
Tiana joins her. "She's not joking. We will find a way."
Axel looks between them, and then he does something unexpected. He smiles. Really smiles, genuine and warm.
"I like your friends," he says to me. Then to them: "Noted. I'll do my best not to require kneecap breaking."
"See that you don't." Chloe grabs her bag. "Come on, Tiana. Let's give them a minute."
They file out, leaving Axel and me alone.
"Your friends are terrifying," he says.
"They're protective."
"I respect that." He steps closer. "How are you feeling?"
"Confused, and a little bit happy."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah." I move into his arms, rest my head on his chest. "Thank you for bringing them here. I needed that."
"I know. That's why I did it." He kisses the top of my head. "Even though it almost got you killed."
"Too soon for jokes about that."
"Sorry."
We stand there for a moment, just holding each other. It feels natural now. Easy.
