Latte Darling: Book Two of The Darling Series

“Here you are,” the motherly woman who took our order beams as she sets a plate in front of me. It’s piled high with a stack of blueberry and hazelnut waffles, topped with a generous swirl of whipped cream and a drizzle of dark chocolate. And when she sets a mini carafe of maple syrup next to my plate, I know I’m about 20 minutes away from slipping into a food coma.

Axel got the same thing, and even though he had one and a half breakfasts this morning, something tells me he’ll be able to finish it.

Sneaking glances at the big man across from me, I carefully cut off a corner of my waffle and place it into my mouth.

“Ohmygawd,” I moan around the sweet carbs. “This is amazing!”

My eyes close automatically. This might seriously be the best thing I’ve ever tasted.

A creak has me opening my eyes just in time to see Axel sliding out of his side of the booth.

“Scoot over,” he gestures with one hand while the other shoves his plate over so it’s next to mine.

“What are you doing?” I ask while I chew.

He doesn’t reply, just starts lowering his oversized frame onto the seat next to me and I scoot down the wooden bench.

I can’t help but snicker when my shoulder bumps into the wall and my other shoulder is mashed into Axel’s arm.

It’s a good thing I’m not claustrophobic. I might have a slew of other issues, but claustrophobia isn’t one of them. Even if it was, something about Axel feels inherently safe.

“Um…?” I wait for Axel to glance down at me, then I lift my brows. “Whatcha doin?”

“I wanted to sit here.”

“Uh huh,” I grin and shimmy my shoulders, showing him how crowded I am.

He has to lean away from me to lift his arm, but once he manages, he drapes it across the back of the booth behind me.

A glance over my shoulder shows me a couple of old ladies tittering at the table behind us and I pinch my lips between my teeth.

Axel’s big palm closes around the back of my neck, “Eat your food.”