The moment she walks away, I suddenly feel awkward.Blade’s gaze lingers on the door for a moment, and I can see the slight unease in his posture.
I shift on my stool, unsure of what to say.The air between us is charged in a way I’m not entirely prepared for.
As if sensing my discomfort, Blade moves a little closer, leaning against the counter with his elbows, his eyes meeting mine.“You all right?”His voice is low, just for me, and it cuts through the tension.
“Yeah,” I say, my voice softer than I meant it to be.“Just...you haven’t phoned me.”
His gaze softens, and for a second, the mask slips.“I know.I’ve been...busy.”
Busy.The word lingers in the air.I open my mouth to ask doing what but change my mind.
Tessa returns with the pie and drinks, placing them in front of us with a satisfied grin.“Enjoy,” she says with a wink.
I laugh, the sound a little too forced as I try to mask the tension I feel.Blade sits beside me, picking up his fork and digging into his pie.
“Is it good?”I ask, trying to sound casual.
He nods, savoring another bite.“Very.”
Just as I’m about to take a bite of my pie, the bell over the door jingles, and Blade turns toward it, his eyes narrowing as someone enters.I glance over and see Vex walking in, looking unbothered as usual.
“Where have you been?”Blade asks, his tone more curious than frustrated.
“Running late,” Vex quips.“Hey, Hannah, how are you?”
“Good, thanks, Vex,” I reply, trying to appear as if everything is fine.
Blade stands, his hand hovering over his coffee and pie.“Tessa?”
Tessa appears from the back of the café, wiping her hands on her apron.“Yes?”
“Could I have this to go, please?”Blade asks, his voice soft but decisive.
Tessa nods.“Yep.”She grabs his pie and coffee, then looks over at Vex, a playful grin forming.“Hey, you, how’s your day going?”
“Good.It’s another beautiful day in Alaska,” Vex responds, his voice dripping with fake enthusiasm.
Tessa tilts her head, eyeing him with a teasing look.“Sarcasm isn’t your strong suit.”With that, she walks back toward the kitchen, leaving me alone with the two men.
I raise an eyebrow at him.“Why don’t you ask her out?”
Vex shrugs, his posture relaxed as he leans against the counter.“I would, I want to, but I come here almost every day.A date could ruin it.”
I can’t help but smirk, a hint of mischief in my tone.“Or make it better.Or you could get her number and text her.”I glance at Blade, who’s still watching us from the corner of his eye.“Women like that stuff.”
Vex doesn’t seem convinced, but before he can reply, Tessa walks back out, pie and coffee in hand.Blade places some bills on the counter, a curt nod to Tessa.
“Thanks, Tessa,” he says, his voice cool and distant, then looks at me.“I’ll see you around, Hannah.”
My mouth drops open in surprise.I quickly close it, trying to mask my hurt.I swivel back around, face forward, and do my best to hide the confusion and frustration bubbling inside me.“You have a nice day,” I reply, the words a little colder than I intend, but I can’t help it.
Blade and Vex walk out of the diner, leaving me sitting there, feeling dismissed.Tessa, however, isn’t about to let me stew in silence.
“I’ll see you around, Hannah!”she calls out as she waves.Her voice is teasing, but it holds a genuine warmth.
I take a deep breath, my mind still reeling from Blade’s abrupt departure.His kiss, the one that had taken me by surprise and left me breathless, feels as if it meant nothing to him.All I get is, “I’ll see you around, Hannah.”It stings in a way I didn’t think was possible.
“Weren’t you the one who said men are dumb?”Tessa says, her voice light but knowing.
