Addy
What arethe odds that we’d run into Axel on our weekly trip to the grocery store? Pretty good, apparently. When I decided to break things off, I never considered that we would bump into each other outside the club. And, of course, when we do bump into each other, I have Henry with me.
The surprised look on his face when he realized I was a mother was expected. I had hoped he’d understand that I cut him off with good reason and just let it go. That’s not Axel though. He’s stubborn and thinks he still wants me despite my being a mom. If only he knew about the rest of my baggage.
Maybe if I tell him about William and how I have no more love to give, he’ll be scared away and run for the hills. I don’t want to talk about the accident or William, though, so that’s not an option.
I still can’t believe Axel invited Henry and me to get ice cream like it was the best idea ever. He totally played into my mom guilt. I’m both angry at his sneakiness and excited to spend time with him. It’s a terrible idea to let Henry spend any time with Axel. The whole point of keeping things casual was to keep the men in my life away from Henry. Now I’ve been backed into a corner that I can’t get out of without upsetting him.
Axel helps me load my groceries into the back of my car while I strap Henry into his car seat. I fiddle with the straps a little longer than necessary, trying to get my bearings. I can do this. We can go have ice cream and talk things out. In the end, he’ll understand that it’s for the best that we don’t see each other again.
I can do this.
I shut the car door, and Axel is standing there waiting. His arms are crossed over his chest, the muscles in his arms bulging. Lord, he’s sexy. Especially when he’s eating me up with his eyes. Even though I’m wearing simple jeans and a t-shirt, he’s still looking at me like I’m the sexiest thing he’s ever seen. It’s a heady feeling. A dangerous feeling.
“I’ll follow you to the ice cream shop,” he says.
Of course he’s not going to let me out of his sight. He probably thinks I’m going to run as soon as he does. Honestly, the idea did run through my mind a time or two. But I won’t do that. Hiding away obviously didn’t do anything but hurt us both. Talking things out is the only other option.
“Okay. See you there…”
It’s a quick drive down the block to Sammy’s Ice Cream Shop. Too quick. As soon as Axel was out of sight, my anxiety ratcheted up. I’ve never been in this situation before and have no idea how to proceed. I want to call Pelar and ask her. She always has the answers, but there’s no time. It’s all on me; I’m obviously not good at making smart decisions.
I sit in my parked car, trying to talk myself into getting out instead of just driving off. I’m considering the benefits of running away when Axel opens my car door. Guess running is off the table. He reaches in and helps me out of the car like a gentleman.
“Thanks,” I whisper, unable to find my voice.
I get Henry out of his seat, and he immediately squirms out of my hold. I grab his hand so he doesn’t run off into the parking lot.
“Hands, buddy.”
He grips my hand tight in his little one and pulls me towards the ice cream shop and the treat he’s so excited for. Axel puts his hand on my lower back, and I feel it to my core. The simple touch has my body waking up again. I side-step out of his reach, but he just follows, resting his hand back on me.
Yeah, he’s not catching the hint. This is going to be more complicated than I thought.
He opens the door for us and ushers us inside. Henry pulls from my hold and rushes to the counter. He stands on his tiptoes, trying to see into the case. Before I can reach for him to pick him up so he can see the different flavors, Axel is there lifting him up. My heart catches in my chest at the sight of him holding my son. He picked him up casually like he’d done it a million times, and it was no big deal. Maybe it isn’t a big deal to him, but it’s a huge deal for me.
Henry has never had a man in his life other than his grandpa. I never intended for Axel and Henry to meet. I’m so outside my comfort zone I don’t know what to think. How did a casual scene or two turn into us hanging out together with my son? How did everything get so messy so fast?
“What flavor do you want, little man?” Axel asks Henry.
“’Nilla with sprinkles!”
“Vanilla with sprinkles it is, kiddo.”
Axel tells the attendant what Henry wants, ordering an ice cream sundae for himself. “What do you want, doll?”
I look at the options. “A chocolate cone, please.”
When I move to get my wallet out of my bag, Axel growls and gently pushes me out of the way so he can pay. I want to argue with him, but I also don’t want to make a scene. Ice cream in hand, I follow him to a table in a quiet corner of the shop. Henry jumps onto the booth seat and digs into his ice cream with gusto.
I sit next to him and take a lick of my ice cream. The chocolatey flavor hits my tongue, and I make a little hum of pleasure. I might be in an incredibly awkward situation, but the small joy of good ice cream can’t be denied.
Axel watches me closely as I eat my cone. I realize belatedly that I should have probably gotten a cup instead. I never realized how much sexual tension can grow between two people just from eating some ice cream.
“We need to talk…” I start even though talking is the last thing I want to do.
“Yes, we do. I want to know why you’re holding back.”