LIAM JR.

Delilah and I sat under the large, shady tree at the far side of the playground. She didn't feel like playing or swinging today, so we just sat. She wasn't very happy about her first day of school, unlike everyone else.

"Isn't it great that we're in the same class?" I said, trying to cheer her up. She nodded, but her face remained gloomy.

"Our teacher seems really nice, Miss Jones," I tried again.

"Mm-hmm," she sighed, pulling her knees to her chest and resting her chin on them.

"Do you want to play soccer after school? Or maybe we can see if Felix will throw the ball, and we can play baseball?" I asked.

"Probably not," she whispered.

"Oh, okay. We could watch a movie then? Mr. Austin said we got a couple of new ones," I suggested.

"I just want to sit here," she said, turning her head away. I suddenly felt angry. She doesn't usually act like this; I was just trying to distract her from her dad being asleep.

"Fine," I said, standing up. "I don't have to hang out with you if you're just going to be sad and bratty!" I didn't mean to yell; it just happened. She flinched and curled up tighter. "This is all you do, Delilah, and it's boring. When you want to be my friend again, come find me!"

I turned to leave, but heard her sniffle. I stopped. "I just want my daddy back…" she whispered. "You have your mommy and baby sister, and even your big sister, even though she moved in with her mate. But my daddy won't wake up, and I love him more than anyone else in the whole world. My mommy is sad, and my daddy isn't here…"

I turned around slowly, feeling terrible. Was she crying? Had I made her cry?

I knelt down slowly, unsure how to help. I wished my dad were here; he knew how to comfort my mom. He could tell me how to make Delilah stop crying, but he was too far away. I tried to remember how he comforted Mom.

I reached out and patted Delilah's shoulder softly. "I'm sorry," I said. "I shouldn't have gotten mad at you."

She lifted her head. Her eyes were red, and her cheeks were wet. I hated seeing her like that. "I just want my daddy back," she said shakily. "When will he wake up?"

"I don't know…" I admitted. I hugged her. She buried her face in my neck and held on tight. My shirt got wet, but I didn't move. I let her cry and held her close. I needed to ask Dad how to make her feel better; I didn't like seeing my best friend cry.

LEMON

I decided to take a couple of days off after the incident. Azalea assured me she wouldn't count them against my paid vacation days, but I wasn't worried about that. I was concerned about those guys returning.

Axel came by later that night. He was wearing different clothes and smelled freshly showered, but he also brought takeout from the Italian restaurant. I didn't hesitate to let him in; I was still nervous.

We ate in comfortable silence, and he helped me with the dishes. He lingered before leaving, assuring me he'd keep his phone nearby if I needed anything. He was banging on my door the next morning, about an hour after my usual work start time, worried because I hadn't shown up. He relaxed when I explained I just wanted a day or two off.

He visited multiple times a day while I stayed home. He brought dinner every night, and we ate together, washed the dishes, then he went home. Much as I didn't want to admit it, I felt better with him there.

I knew I couldn't stay home forever, though. The night before, I told Axel I'd be at the inn the next day, and he promised to check on me. He was waiting outside to walk me to work. We walked in comfortable silence, and he surprised me by coming into the inn. I went to my office, and when I returned, he was sitting on the couch, reading a magazine.

"What are you still doing here?" I asked from behind the counter.

"I thought I'd stay today," he said casually.

"Why?" I asked. He shrugged. "I'm sure you have better things to do. Thank you for walking me this morning, but really, you don't have to stay all day."

"What if I want to?" he asked.

I sighed. "I guess I can't stop you. I have paperwork, though. So, I'll be in my office. Ring the bell if you need me." He smiled and nodded before I returned to my office.

All day, Axel was my silent companion. He followed me wherever I went. His presence gave me an odd sense of calm, even though I wanted to be annoyed.

At dinner time, I was working on the schedule. He knocked. "You should take a break," he said. "You didn't eat lunch."

I held up my half-eaten orange. "I munched," I said, returning to my work. "I'm behind."

Axel took the orange from my hand. "This isn't a meal," he stated plainly. He took my pen, tossed it on the desk, grabbed my arm, and pulled me up. "Come on, food time."

He took my hand and led me to the dining room. A blush crept onto my cheeks as we walked. A small table was open. Axel led me there.

He pulled out a chair for me. I huffed but sat. He sat opposite me, smiling charmingly. "What?" I asked.

"Nothing," he said.

"No, really," I insisted. "You pulled me away from my work. At least tell me why you're smiling."

"That's fair," he said. "I'm smiling because you look exceptionally cute when you get huffy like that. And I'm pretty confident you're relieved to be taking a break."

My jaw dropped. "What—" I was interrupted by a server bringing our food. "We didn't order yet?"

"Oh, I took care of it before I came to get you," he said, grabbing his utensils. He looked victorious.

"So you just knew I'd have dinner with you? What if I'd gone home?" I asked.

"You've had dinner with me a few times now," he pointed out. I could only blush and look away. "Plus, if you'd left, I'd already know. I was sitting in the front room. You can work as late as you want after dinner; just take a break and breathe for a minute, supergirl."

"Supergirl?"

"Yeah, you're just like Lu—I mean Lea. You take on the world like a superhero, and nothing gets in your way until everything's taken care of," he observed. I could only blink. He started eating, grinning.

I stared blankly for a minute, unsure how to respond. Finally, he said, "Lemon, eat." I took a bite of the chicken and roasted vegetables over rice.

I ate slowly. This was much like the last few nights, except at the inn. No one bothered us. Axel finished before me but waited patiently.

When we were done, someone quickly cleared our plates. "Can I go back to work now?" I asked.

"Can I walk you?" he asked, smiling.

"To my office?" I asked. He nodded. "I guess," I answered, shaking my head. We walked back to my office.

"Thank you for the break. I appreciate the company," I said.

"Oh, the pleasure was all mine," he said happily. "I'll see you later."

"You know you can go home. I'll be okay," I told him.

"What if I don't want to?" he asked.

"I guess I can't make you," I said. "But you'll be pretty bored. I'm not doing anything interesting."

He nodded. "I'll see you in a bit," he said, walking back to the sitting area.

I sighed and went into my office. I couldn't concentrate. My mind kept wandering to Axel. I sat back, groaning. It had only been two hours since dinner. The dinner staff would be gone, and only someone downstairs washing linens would remain.

Since I wasn't getting anything done, I decided to go home. Maybe tomorrow I could get him off my mind. I needed him out of my space to think clearly.

I gathered my things and headed to the front. A lamp was on in the sitting room, and a dim light was in the dining room, but nothing else was lit. I didn't see Axel.

A strange feeling arose. Was I expecting him to be here? Did I want him to be here? I shook my head, dismissing those thoughts. I was perfectly capable of walking home alone. I grew up here; there was no reason to worry.

I reached for the door, but my hand paused. My fingers trembled. What is wrong with me?

"Lemon?" a soft voice said. I spun around, gasping as my heart raced. Axel stood a few feet away, looking worried. I grabbed my chest, trying to calm myself.

"Axel!" I exclaimed. "Don't do that!"

"I'm sorry. I was coming from the bathroom, but you were frozen at the door," he said cautiously. "Is everything okay?"

That sparked my irritation. "Why do you care so much?" I asked darkly. His eyebrows shot up. "You don't have to stay and watch me. I'm a grown woman! I can take care of myself."

I continued, "I don't need a babysitter always ready to swoop in and handle my problems! I'm the manager here and can handle everything perfectly fine! I don't need you to hover and watch me like I'm going to freak out—"

His hand slammed onto the door beside my head. I stopped, stunned. "Did I say you are any of those things?" he asked, his voice softer now.

I shook my head. "Did I say you can't handle yourself?" I shook my head again. "I am very well aware that you are a full-grown woman," he said, his eyes dropping before returning to mine. "All of those things are exactly why I can't get you off my mind."

"What?" I whispered.

"You, Lemon, own permanent real estate in my brain. All day, all night, there you are. Every thought is about you. What is Lemon wearing today? Did she choose the floral perfume or the fruity one? Did she have a good day at work or spill coffee on her receipt book again? Is Luna driving her crazy, or is she running like a top?"

My heart pounded. Did he really think about all that?

"I was fine admiring you from afar; I can take a hint. But then someone threatened you in our town. Someone took away your feeling of safety, and I'm not okay with that," he said. "I never want you to feel scared here, especially over things you aren't involved in."

He paused, his eyes dropping to my lips before returning to my eyes. "I can smell it. You're scared when you're alone. But as soon as I come around, you don't smell scared anymore. So I make every excuse to be around you, to take that fear away." His other arm came up, caging me between his arms. "And I will keep doing it until you feel safe again."

"Axel, I—" I started.

"Shhh. You don't have to say anything. But you should know that I care about you, Lemon. A whole lot," he said quietly. His eyes lowered again to my lips. "It's okay if you don't feel the same way, as long as you feel safe with me."

"B-but I'm not your mate…" I whispered.

"No, you aren't," he said. Pain flickered in his eyes. "But that doesn't change anything," he whispered. We stayed like that for a moment before he lowered his arms and stepped back.

He cleared his throat. "Why don't we get you home?" he asked. I nodded, my heart and mind racing.