“Only if you’re afraid of commitment,” I say sweetly.
He raises an eyebrow. “Too late for that.”
I pretend not to notice the way that lands. Pretend my pulse doesn’t skip.
Charlie clears his throat again. Loudly. “I’m still standing right here.”
Sawyer doesn’t move away. “You’re doing great work, Charlie.”
Charlie sighs. “I’m going to need a raise.”
I take a sip of my coffee, warmth spreading through me, and for a moment the shop feels exactly right. I’m still smiling—like, really smiling—when the bell over the door jingles again.
I look up, only to have my stomach immediately fall to the floor.
Theo bursts in first, wearing what looks like a brand new blazer, with his backpack slung over one shoulder, cheeks flushed, joy fully activated. “Mom!”
Right behind him is David. Casual. Relaxed. Like this was always the plan.
My brain scrambles to catch up. I look at my watch. “Theo? Why aren’t you?—”
“Dad took me out of school today,” Theo announces proudly. “We went shopping.”
David lifts a hand. “Before you react?—”
“Oh, I’m reacting,” I say, already doing math in my head. “Who said you could?—”
“We needed clothes,” Theo cuts in. “For my birthday and the Father-Son Breakfast!”
I open my mouth to say something, anything, when I become acutely aware that Sawyer has gone very still beside me.
However, Theo has seen him and, not aware of the situation, says, “Sawyer, wanna see my clothes for the game?”
Sawyer crouches slightly, easy and warm. “Sure, bud.”
I turn to David, still assessing but also protecting. “David, this is Sawyer. He’s our…” I pause, unsure of what to label him as. Our hockey player? Our gentle giant?
“...shop assistant she never knew she needed.” Sawyer straightens and offers a hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“Same. I’m a fan.” David takes it, his grip firm, his smile polite but assessing.
Something subtle shifts between them. Nothing dramatic. Just two men quietly measuring each other while pretending not to. If this was a reality show, there would be producers instructing cameramen to zoom in, then insist on layering the moment with dramatic music.
Theo, blissfully unaware of the energy crackling around him, tugs on my sleeve. “Dad bought me a blazer.”
“A blazer,” I repeat.
“For the breakfast,” David says, like this clears everything up.
Sawyer glances at me. “A blazer,” he echoes, solemn. “Cool.”
“I’m wearing it,” Theo grins as he spins around, needing to show us the goods. “I look awesome, right?”
“You always do,” Sawyer says without hesitation.
Theo straightens immediately, shoulders back like he’s already modeling the blazer. “Dad says I look very grown up.”
“You will,” I say, smoothing his hair.
