AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What are you doing?”
Dammit!
“I’m going home to make a lasagna. Preston’s in charge of salad and wine. Axel and Matteo are coming over, and then maybe we’ll watch a movie and chill.”
“Matteo?” I frown. “Who?”
“Ruiz,” she answers with a goofy smile. “He’s pretty nice, if you get past his bad mood and the chip he carries on his shoulder. Nicer yet,” she admits, “when my brother isn’t in the same room, since half of Ruiz’s personality is built around hating Axel.” She rolls her eyes. “It’s a school night tonight, and we have a big weekend coming up, so we won’t be doing anything crazy.”
“Well…”Act like you don’t give a shit!“Cool. Enjoy your lasagna. I’ll see you in the morning.” I toss my paper towel to the trash and spy June and her backpack, which is almost as large as her body. “Catch you tomorrow, beautiful. Have a good sleep.”
“I will.” She dashes across the prep area and slams into my legs, wrapping her arms around my hips.
I keep my hands off, because I’ve just washed them, but when she’s done and pulls back, I bend and press a kiss to the top of her head.
It takes the duo five more minutes to collect their things and make their way out the back door. For locks to snick secure, and for me to find the exact Spotify playlist I’d like to listen to. Then I get started peeling and slicing carrots, stopping a handful of times to serve customers and ring up their purchase.
At five, I lock the front door and turn my music up loud, drowning out the sound of everything except for the shop phone, just in case Preston calls.
Then I peel and grate. Roll and mix. I make my own pastry, and mix my own recipes for the potato gratin. I somehow lose myself in work as the sun goes down, my mind emptying of all things that hurt my stomach. I don’t think of lasagna, or Matteo Ruiz. I don’t focus on Thomas’ absence from my life, though he was in it for only two minutes. Not a substantial loss now that he’s gone again.
I manage to keep my mind focused on my preparation for the party coming up in two short sleeps. But all that distraction only makes things worse when I spin to go to the fridge, and find Axel Feeney sitting on the silver counter. His ankles crossed, his hands by his thighs, and his shoulders bowed while he watches me.
I scream in fright, then clamp my lips shut when I realize the only danger he poses is to my sanity.
My soul.
My heart thunders with adrenaline as I snatch up a tea towel and toss it in his direction. “Dammit, Axel!” Enraged, I charge toward the speaker perched in the corner of the room and smack it to shut off my music. Then I bend and scoop up my tea towel, and throw it again, this time in his face so the fabric slaps his chin. “What the hell are you doing here? The doors are locked!”
Relaxed, slow in his movements, Axel opens his lips to nibble on the bottom one.
I hate that they’re so plump and perfect. His face, so handsome in the low light.
I have a million memories tied up in this man; a lifetime lived, despite the few short years we knew each other before everything went to hell.
I hate that his casual silence hurts me, and that while my heart and body spin out with nerves, his seem… relaxed.
“What?” Angry, impatient, I snap as I stop in front of him. “What,Axel? What are you doing here?”
He clears his throat, and even that sound makes my stomach tremble and my heart quiver.
“I heard you were here,” he rumbles. “Alone.”
“So?” I can’t stand here and look into his eyes. I can’t be so close and not ask for a moment to touch. To be held. I enjoyed those perks for too long, and now, my body is in withdrawal. “I’m here alone a lot. You’re in town for a day, and already, you’re causing me stress.”
I turn away, purely so I don’t have to look into his eyes and fall deeper into the rabbit hole of despair I’ve lived in for the past seven months. Snatching up my knife, I begin slicing peppers. If he’s lucky, he’ll leave without a puncture wound in his thigh.
“I’d like for you to go away.” I make damn sure my voice remains even. Strong. “I’m working, Axel, and I have a right to do it alone.”
“I just want to tal—”
“You’re not an employee here. You’re not Nicole. You have no reason to be here, and I didn’t invite you in. At this point, I’m inclined to call the cops and tell them you’re harassing me.Especiallyafter that immature bullshit you pulled at Pinocchio’s last night.”
“I’m a silent partner in Juniper’s.” I hear the rustle of his jeans as he moves, then the soft thud of his boots touching the floor. “I helped my sister get this place started, and as such, we have a deal that I can come and go as I fuckin’ please. I get cupcakes once a day. Forever. And I…” He stops at my back; I can feel the warmth of his chest beating into my skin. “Haven’t had a taste in a long time.”
I stop working. Stop slicing. I stare at the wall and swallow the emotion balled in my throat. “That’s the price you pay for leaving, I guess.” I dart my tongue out and wet my bottom lip. “You walked away, Axel. Without warning. Without asking. Without,” my voice catches as I bring my hand up and wipe my wrist beneath my nose, “giving a shit how that loss would affect others. So I’d say the lack of cupcakes in your life is penance for destructive behavior.”
“And the lack of Hannah in my life?”
