Chapter 370

Madison

I stared at the spot where Alexander’s Aston Martin had been parked moments before, my hands trembling as I gripped the doorframe. Five years. Five years of silence, and he showed up here like it was nothing. Like he hadn’t abandoned me when I needed him most.

“Madison?” Christopher’s voice pulled me back. “You okay? That guy seemed intense.”

I forced a smile and turned back to the café. “I’m fine. Just an old boss from New York.”

“Just a boss?” Christopher’s eyebrow lifted. “He looked at you like you were the only person in the world.”

“He’s engaged,” I said flatly, moving behind the counter. “And my break’s over.”

Christopher opened his mouth like he wanted to press further, but wisely closed it. We’d been on exactly one date last month, which I’d ended early with a polite but firm rejection of his goodnight kiss attempt. He was nice enough, successful enough, attractive enough. But he wasn’t...

No. I wasn’t going there.