"Right." I lifted my cup slightly. "Thanks for the coffee."
She nodded, already turning away. Dismissed me with the ease of someone who'd perfected the art of ending conversations without causing offense.
Smart girl.
But that shadow under her eyes—darker than yesterday, deeper—sat wrong in my chest. Carved itself into my awareness and refused to leave.
Something's wrong.
The thought pounded insistent rhythm against my skull.
Yesterday she'd been nervous. Apologetic. Getting used to her new job.
Today she looked hunted.
My hand tightened around the cup. Heat seeped through the cardboard, almost uncomfortable, but I didn't put it down.
Ask her.
The impulse roared through me—loud, demanding, impossible to ignore completely.
Just three words. Simple. Direct.
Are you okay?
But my jaw stayed locked. Because what would happen if I asked?
She'd lie. Tell me everything was fine with that same brittle smile. Or worse—she'd tell me the truth, and then what? Then I'd be involved. Then I'd have information I couldn't unknow. Problems I'd feel compelled to fix. Then I'd be exactly what I'd spent years avoiding: attached.
My throat worked. Swallowed nothing.
Not your business.
The reminder came sharp and cold, but it didn't stop the warning bells screaming through my instincts—the ones that used to keep me alive during games when enforcers twice my size wanted my head.
The ones that never lied.
She wiped the counter in quick, efficient strokes, keeping her back to me. Shoulders curved inward like she was bracing for impact.
Damn it.
I should leave. Should walk away before this became something I couldn't take back. Before protective instinct transformed into something messier, more dangerous.
Before I crossed lines I'd drawn specifically to keep people like her safe from men like me.
But my feet stayed planted.
Olivia glanced toward the door again. Her hand stilled mid-wipe, fingers pressing white against the rag. Watching. Waiting.
Afraid.
The word crystallized with brutal clarity.
She wasn't just tired. Wasn't just stressed about the new job or nervous about working her first game.
She was scared.
Of what, I didn't know. Didn't need to know.
