Michelle's Book Stop: CINDERELLA'S LAST STAND

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers Book #2

If she wants a happy ending, she’ll have to write her own story

Working as Hollywood heartthrob Axel Harrington’s personal assistant isn’t exactly a fairy tale come true for Maddie Henry. Despite crushing on his Prince Charming looks, Maddie has had enough of Axel not recognizing her value. Well, this Cinderella is shattering the glass slipper to pursue her dream career! The "Sexiest Man Alive" has two weeks to find a new assistant. And to realize that Maddie is the key to his happily-ever-after.

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Chapter One

Boundaries. Boundaries. Boundaries. Life was all about boundaries.

Madison “Maddie” Henry told herself this even as she lay in a king-size bed next to Axel Harrington, voted the world’s sexiest man for 2022. She turned on her side to see his cognac eyes on hers, her dark skin a stark contrast against his caramel tones. His pearly whites widened into that smile that had made him a heartthrob and hot bae for millions of women.

Except Maddie. She was way beyond the enamored phase. Axel was too self-absorbed for her tastes. Though he was a generous employer. As the action hero’s personal assistant, she had received many exquisite gifts—including a personal car and jewelry. Earrings were his trinkets of choice. Maddie had about five pairs—remnants of returned gifts from previous girlfriends over the past three years. She had given a couple to her best friend, Keri Pittman, and regifted the pearls to her mother. Thankfully, her collection had stagnated since he’d been dating Natasha LaRue the past eleven months. They had met on the set of The Mantis and had been almost inseparable since. Of his many arm candies, Maddie had to admit, Natasha appeared to be the sweetest—and the most determined to snag Axel and put an end to his bachelor status.

Maddie had tried to warn the other woman not to invest her hopes in Axel. He was too into himself to appreciate any woman, but Natasha, though kind, wouldn’t take Maddie’s advice. Natasha didn’t believe in getting too close with the help. Maddie knew if she did get Axel to commit to a deeper relationship, Natasha would get rid of her. For some reason, the other woman was rattled by her presence, butting in whenever Axel asked for Maddie’s opinion or input.

Axel touched her cheek. “I told you the best way to experience this bed was to get in it. Let me know if you want one.” He flipped onto his back and folded his arms behind his head.

Maddie did the same, fighting her slight unease at being so close to Axel, breathing in the scent of his Perry Ellis cologne. “I don’t need one. It’s not like I have my own place here. And, it wouldn’t fit in my room at your penthouse.”

Due to the nature of her job, she often stayed with Axel at his New York or Los Angeles residences since she was expected to be on twenty-four-hour call. But the last five months, he had gotten…needy. It was like he needed her advice on everything.

Take this bed, for example. Axel had insisted she help him pick out a new mattress. That wasn’t in her job description. Maddie had been hired to set his schedules and other things of that nature, not determine the softness of his bed. Yet, here she was in a department store in New York City, stretched out next to him, her curls splayed across the mattress, doing just that while trying to ignore the curious fans.

“It would if you took one of the bigger rooms,” Axel pressed. “Or I could buy you a loft or something here in the Big A.”

“No, I’m good. I told you, I don’t need you to buy me anything—or rather, give me your credit card to purchase my gifts. My condo back home in Love Creek is all I can handle. My auntie Dawn left that property for me, and that’s the only reason I hold onto it. I’m barely there as it is, as much traveling as I do. Thankfully, my bestie Keri agreed to live with me since she’s a flight attendant and my condo is less than twenty miles from the airport.”

To use her mother’s words, Maddie should have already moved on from being Axel’s assistant to bigger and better. And Maddie would already be there if she had allowed Faran—her mother went by the single moniker—to use her connections to get her a director’s assistant position. But she hadn’t wanted to achieve anything because of her supermodel mom. Maddie wanted to get there based on her own merit, which was why she kept her parentage to herself. No one knew.

Not Axel, not Keri—no one. And Maddie preferred it that way. For the first time, Maddie hadn’t had to endure comments about her plain features or be compared to her mother’s smooth perfection. The ruse was easy to keep up, since Faran spent most of her time in France. Maddie also didn’t have to see Faran’s exquisite face twist at her unruly curls, her fuller figure, her plump lips, before her mother emitted a sad sigh. It was like the incomparable Faran couldn’t imagine how she had managed to produce an offspring who was so…ordinary.

Those had been her mother’s words to a friend on the phone when she thought Maddie was out of earshot. The only two things Maddie had inherited from her mother, which Faran approved of, were her dark, flawless skin, and her eyes. But there was no denying she was the offspring of her Jamaican father, Paul Henry, much to Faran’s chagrin. Faran had dressed Maddie in the most expensive designer garb, as if that would compensate for Maddie’s underwhelming presence.

Once she had graduated from Yale, Maddie had begged her mother to cease with the one-of-a-kind shoes and wardrobe, but every other month, a new box arrived. After a while, Maddie found herself looking forward to seeing what was inside. Particularly the shoes, which gave her a Cinderella-like vibe.

Maddie tugged on her plaid skirt and pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose. “Can I get up now?” she asked. “I only agreed to do this because you said you’d look at my script.”

“Of course,” Axel said, waving a hand before also sitting up. “So do you think I should purchase this one?”

“Yes. This is the one.”

“Great.” Axel scooted to the edge of the mattress and gestured to the sales clerk. The older woman scurried over to take his credit card.

“We’ll have it delivered this afternoon, sir,” she said, preening.

Maddie rolled her eyes. The clerk had to be twice his age, but it appeared no one was immune to Axel Harrington. Maddie reached for her tote and pulled out the script she had printed before coming to meet up with Axel. She smoothed the pages and gathered her courage. Then she click-clacked her way over to where Axel stood.

Yes, click-clacked. She wore a retro red shoe with a chunky wooden heel that resembled a mouth with wooden teeth. The glitter drew attention to her feet, but better her feet than her face.

Maddie straightened. “I brought my script for you to look at.” She spoke under her breath, wishing her heart would pump at regular speed.

Axel nodded. “Okay. I’ll get to it. What’s it called again?”

Maddie swallowed and declined to answer. She had told him the name of her story several times. What was so hard to remember about A Summer’s Dream? Disappointment whirled within her, and she pursed her lips before shoving the papers back into her bag.

Axel must have seen her expression, because the minute they left the store, he asked, “What’s wrong?”

She wiped her foggy glasses and cut her eyes, her fury and resentment building. “You didn’t hire me to help with bedding. I just completed my fine arts degree in filmmaking, and I should be vetting scripts and helping you with decisions around your career.”

“I know. I was at your graduation.” Axel’s tone told her he didn’t view this conversation as serious. He held open the door for her, and she sailed past him to jump into the dark SUV before putting her glasses back on. Maddie wasn’t sure why she hadn’t quit. Well, she knew why. Her script. The one she had written for Axel. The role she believed only he could play.

But he wouldn’t give her a chance.

Axel slid in beside her and gave her a light jab. “Don’t get all huffy on me. We have a two-hour drive to the airport ahead of us because of traffic, and if you’re upset with me, it will make this an even longer ride. How about I stop by that doughnut place and get you a box of doughnut holes?”

The ones with the jelly filling were her weakness, but Maddie wasn’t about to be distracted. She lifted her chin. “I’m good.”

“Uh-oh. I know that means you’re not good.” Axel cocked his head. “What can I do to make things right between us? I can’t take it when you pout.”

It was only because she detected sincerity in his voice that Maddie decided to take a chance and be truthful. “You can stop texting me at all hours of the day, telling me you have an emergency when you don’t.”

He wiped his palms on his jeans and nodded. “I can do that. In my defense, choosing my new bedding is sort of an emergency. If I don’t get ample rest, then I’ll be cranky and I might lose an important role.” He raised his brows. “That is related to my career, which is where you, as my assistant, come in.” He gave a satisfied chuckle.

Maddie groaned. She didn’t know why she even bothered to express her dissatisfaction. The man used his brains to reason away his selfishness. She had done her research—Axel Harrington was brilliant with a photographic memory. However, he had shunned a career in nuclear biology in favor of capitalizing on his ridiculous good looks and body. Why? Because it was easy. That was her deduction.

It was her fault for refusing the internship with a young, upcoming female director and staying in this job. But she had been thinking of her script. A script into which she had poured her dreams, her passion, her hopes. A script that could change her life, her station—her mother’s opinion.

The driver swung into the farthest lane, honking at the drivers glaring at him, and made his way toward the Lincoln Tunnel. There was a light drizzle, and the drops hitting the glass looked like little splatters of tears. It had rained every day that week. Maddie’s lips curved. She loved the rain. It hid many of her tears and, when it passed, left her feeling renewed.

She released a deep breath and continued the conversation.

“I need you to respect my time and my space,” Maddie said. “I go on vacation in a few weeks, and I need your word that you will allow me to enjoy my time away from you. I need to recuperate.”

“I will. I promise. No interruptions.” He gave her a calculating glance. “Where are you going?”

“I’m not telling you,” Maddie said. “I don’t need you showing up with your hive of fans.” She reached into her tote and pushed the script into his hands. “What I do need you to do is keep your word. And read my script.”

A couple of women had their bodies hanging out the window of an adjacent car, screaming Axel’s name. They both wore tanks that barely held up their heaving chests. Lots to see. Axel gave a little wave and his signature grin before turning away from them. Then he reached into the pocket of the seat and pulled out his cap and signature shades.

“I told you to get a darker tint,” she said through her teeth when the women continued to holler, asking if he wanted their number.

“I should have listened to you,” Axel said. He quirked his lips. “See what happens when I don’t listen to you or make a decision without you?”

A yellow light loomed ahead, and the car next to them accelerated, taking the zealous women with it. Their driver stopped at the light. More fans had spotted Axel, screaming for him to look their way.

Maddie rested her head against the window and drummed her fingers on the door handle, fighting the urge to open the door and race for the subway. “Three weeks, Axel. I need it.”

Axel patted her hand before curling his long brown fingers around hers. “You’ve got it. I won’t bug you. I promise.”

She faced him. “I mean it. Unless you’re in an emergency room hooked up to a ventilator, no 9-1-1 texts.”

He saluted. “Even if my leg is broken and it’s being eaten by a vicious mama bear, I promise I will not call you.”

Chapter Two

Axel Harrington gazed into the earnest eyes of the woman dubbed “America’s rose” and willed himself to utter the one word she yearned to hear. She knelt on one knee on the plush checkered rug, a soft smile etched on her face, expectant—having just proposed. On their one-year anniversary. On national television.

Axel and Natasha, his partner on and off the screen, had appeared on The Drew Barrymore Show to promote their upcoming film when she slipped to the floor, not caring that her sheer white linen pantsuit would be crushed, to ask for his hand in marriage. Axel knew she fully believed he would go along with her scheme. Her manipulation. And, normally, he would have. He would have allowed Natasha to have her way. He opened his mouth, but it was like the Incredible Hulk had a hand around Axel’s throat. The words refused to squeak past his windpipe.

His mind raced, urging him to say yes. To save face. After all, as an actor, he was used to pretending. He was used to tossing out the words I love you with just the right amount of emotion to make the ladies swoon. But this wasn’t acting. This was real life.

His life. His choice. And Natasha was trying to take that away from him.

Several tense seconds passed.

He could feel the heat of the lights and the sweat beads on his forehead. Drew’s grin was frozen in place. The audience, which had been cheering, had hushed.

The cameraman had moved closer into Axel’s personal space to capture the moment. Axel thought about their fans, enthralled with their relationship, begging for them to be together, imagining the beautiful babies they would make. The pressure.

Natasha tugged his hand, turning her head to meet Drew’s gaze. He hated seeing the pity in Drew’s eyes. Then Natasha pinned her light brown eyes on him. Her brows furrowed, and she shook her head. “Don’t do this,” she whispered, her voice cracking.

He didn’t want to.

But he had to.

He had to be true. Even if it hurt. The fact was, marriage wasn’t for him. His biological father had walked out on his mother, leaving her alone to take care of a young son, without a reason or explanation. Running was in his DNA. He wasn’t about to enter into that sort of commitment with anyone.

“I’m sorry,” Axel said, touching his chest. “I can’t.” He bent over to help her stand, but she shied away from him. Axel braced himself for her fury, her flashing eyes and cutting words. But they never came.

Natasha lowered her chin to her chest and closed her eyes. Tears spilled through her lids and streamed down her face, and she released soft sobs. The crowd seemed to release a harsh breath, and the boos came at him like a tidal wave. His shoulders bent, and he turned his back to the stage. A couple minutes ago, all was right—he’d been surfing through life, surrounded by blue skies and sunshine. But Natasha’s proposal had caused him to wipe out, and now he had to fight to keep his head above water. To breathe. Remain focused. On his movie. The one he was here to promote. Not get a fiancée. But it was impossible to think past the ensuing crescendo.

The hate from the audience was real. Even the cameraman had backed off, giving him the evil eye.

Axel had said no to the hottest, sweetest actress in Hollywood. In front of the whole world. He knew this would go viral and become a PR nightmare. Axel needed his film to do well if his career was going to go the way he wanted it to go, where he could take on more heartfelt roles. He was ready to leave the action-hero world and challenge himself—become more than a face and a bicep.

Drew slipped from her armchair to embrace Natasha before facing the camera. She didn’t even look Axel’s way. “We’ll be back after the break. I can’t wait for you to meet a bunch of sisters with some serious singing chops, The Petals.”

As soon as the camera stopped rolling, madness ensued. From the corner of his eye, he saw Drew usher Natasha off the stage. The atmosphere was one of chaos, with assistants running in every direction in a panic. All he had done was turn down a proposal, not start a war. Four women dressed in skintight jumpsuits passed him with heat in their eyes and wrath emanating from their bodies.

“That was grimy,” one uttered, shoving past him.

Axel rubbed his temples. Things were getting uglier by the minute. His publicist rushed toward him. “What did you do?” Joni asked, blinking rapidly. “Why didn’t you just go along with it? Your movie could flop because of this.”

He held up a hand. “You expect me to lie?”

She gave a terse nod. “Yes. Lie. This isn’t about you. Hundreds of people worked hard to bring The Mantis to life. They need the bonuses you promised once the film becomes a blockbuster.”

He tugged on his chin. “I’ll talk with Natasha. We’ll go out in public, share a few laughs. Maybe she’ll agree to say this was a stunt.”

Joni pointed in the direction Drew and Natasha had gone. “No one with eyes and a heart will believe that was a stunt. Natasha fell apart on the floor crying.” She pulled up her phone and gasped. “It’s all over social media. People are coming for you.” She swiped the screen with rapid strokes, hyperventilating.

Axel dug into his jeans for his phone and dared to look at his social media account. His eyes went wide. The threats. The venom. Wow. He had to get out of there. Axel called his driver and asked him to pull up to the rear of the building.

Joni stopped him. “Where are you going?”

“Love Creek. Home to my mama. Where else can I go?” He was sure his home in Los Angeles and his penthouse here in the city were surrounded by reporters or hovering helicopters.

“Not there. They’re sure to hunt you down at your mother’s house.”

He had six brothers, each with their own place. He could bunk with one of them.

His publicist kept scrolling. Her mouth dropped. “You’d better get going. Some of Natasha’s crazy fans are talking about coming here to the studio. I’ll get you a private jet. Have your assistant pack a couple bags and meet you at the airport.” Her high-pitched voice went nasal.

His legs felt wooden, and he resisted the urge to panic. In the age of free choice, you’d think he had the option to say no. But no one said no to Natasha. Not if they expected to survive. Her fans were notorious about protecting their precious rose. A petal had fallen after his rejection.

Yes. They were coming for him. Still. He couldn’t find it within him to regret his response.

“Maddie’s on vacation. I’ll do it myself,” Axel said.

“Vacation?” Joni’s brows raised, and she asked the question like she didn’t know the meaning of the word. “There’s no vacation for the underlings in this business. Fine. I’ll go get your bags. In the meantime, try to stay under the radar.” She hurried past him, her legs pumping as fast as she could move, considering she had just begin her third trimester of pregnancy.

Axel had begun walking toward the exit when he heard his name bellowed. Drew Barrymore came up to him and tapped his arm. “Why don’t you stay and share your side on the show?”

He shook his head and stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Not a good idea.”

“Maybe we could spin this. Natasha might come back on air.”

He raised a brow. “Really?”

Drew chewed her bottom lip and shook her head. “I figured you could talk to her.”

“Trust me, I’m the last face Natasha wants to see right now. Thanks, Drew. I know you mean well, but you’ve got to get back on air.”

The Petals were almost done singing. Drew glanced at her watch before skittering back to the set. He pushed open the rear door and jumped into the SUV, relieved that his driver had been waiting. The flash of the cameras alerted him of the media’s presence. Axel fired out directions to the airport and held on to the door when the driver tore off at high speed.

Thirty minutes later, Axel thought of his family and unlocked his phone to check for messages. His mother had already sent a text to their family chat asking if he was okay and offering her home as a refuge. He studied her most recent picture, of a blunt cut with a mixture of browns and blonds that blended well with her skin tone, the color of honey. He couldn’t ignore Tanya Harrington or she would come looking for him. His mother stayed fit, so he didn’t second-guess her ability to take him down if needed. Axel quickly replied.

Look outside. Is the press there?

Yes. Sorry, His mother texted back.

His response was a shrugging emoji and Call soon.

He wasn’t surprised. Love Creek was a small town in Florida. It didn’t take long for the press to swoop in like vultures, sensing the probable imminent death of his box office hit. He shuddered. He was becoming as dramatic as his publicist. Axel watched the three dots, signaling someone in the group was responding.

Several pings from his brothers hit his phone, inviting him to hunker down with them. The first was from Lynx, the soon-to-be newlywed. Next, Hawk reached out, but as a professional football player, Hawk was just as famous as he was. The rest of his brothers offered as well, but each one followed up with texts stating that the press was outside their homes. Capturing a photo of him would mean a big payout because of this scandal, so Axel understood why the paparazzi were circling each of his siblings’ properties. Axel thought about going to Thailand or somewhere remote but dismissed that idea. He wanted to be near his family, even if he couldn’t be with them.

Maddie.

He could call Maddie. No one would think he would venture to her condo. It would be the perfect hiding place until this died down. But she was starting her vacation this week. And he had given his word not to call unless he had a life-or-death emergency.

This potential hit to his livelihood was an emergency. It could be the death of the film—and his career.

His agent called. Ralph Patterson spewed harsh words, bellowing into Axel’s ear. “Turning down Natasha was a huge mistake. She is an heiress, practically American royalty. What were you thinking?”

“That I wanted to make my own choice about who I marry,” Axel said with steel in his tone. He wasn’t about to remain on the defensive about a decision that could impact the rest of his life. “Marriage is important to me. If I got married, I would it to be for a lifetime.”

“Then you’d be the only one in Hollywood. It would have been nothing to drop a couple million on an engagement ring. At least she’d have a bauble to ease her pain.”

“Wow. Are you listening to yourself?” Axel shook his head. His agent was ruthless, and when it came to movies, that served Axel’s purpose well. But his personal life, not so much. He yelled into the phone. “You handle my business affairs, nothing else. You got that?”

“You might not have a business to handle soon,” Ralph said and cut the call.

Axel looked at his phone, tempted to call and fire his agent. But he wouldn’t make such a move when he was angry. Instead, he made the call to the one person in the world he didn’t think would hate him. The one person he knew would come up with a solution. He just prayed she would answer his call.

Chapter Three

“It must be important,” Maddie said, looking at his name on her vibrating phone, playing to the tune of “The Addams Family.” She stood in the doorway of her three-bedroom condo, her carry-on between her legs. She had popped home to pack for her vacation. “It has to be for Axel to call, knowing I’m supposed to be on vacation this week. He gave his word.”

The sun beamed on her back, making her appreciate the cool air in front of her. Her AC was ticking and humming while keeping her place cool. A sound Maddie appreciated. It was already close to eighty degrees, and the temps were expected to climb to ninety by 4:00 p.m. that day. Maddie had dressed in a yellow romper with a matching pair of sandals, which featured a sculptured heel and suede buckles, but she had slipped a black cardigan in her tote in case the mosquitoes came out.

Keri strutted down the narrow hallway, her carry-on clanking behind her on the wooden floor, coming to join Maddie by the open door.

“His word is as firm as water. You can’t be seriously thinking about answering his call,” Keri scoffed, putting a hand on a slender hip, irritation evident in her tone. She was close to six feet tall, dressed in a pair of shorts, a billowy blouse and bedazzled flip-flops. “You know he’s not calling for anything important. He probably wants something dumb, insignificant, like shoe polish or tweezers.” She flailed her hands. “Who knows! Let it ring.”

Keri’s fascination with the movie star had dimmed once she had witnessed his thoughtless behavior. She urged Maddie to quit almost once a week.

Sweat beads formed across Maddie’s forehead and upper lip. She rocked back on her heels while she debated if she should accept the call. The phone stopped its jerky movements, going to voice mail. She released a plume of air.

It rang again.

Maddie tapped her foot and stared at her phone.

“I know that pensive look.” Keri shook her head. “Please don’t allow Axel Harrington to intrude on the first break you’ve taken in two years. Two years, Maddie. You promised we were going to Spain.” She tucked a long auburn strand behind her ear. “We’ve been planning this vacation for months. You made it outside the door. All you have to do is ignore that selfish man and we can be on our way.”

Her friend was right on so many levels, but Maddie couldn’t disregard the ringing phone. “Let me just check,” she said, accepting the call and placing the phone on speaker.

Axel emitted a loud sigh of relief that echoed in the entryway. “I’m so glad you answered. I’ve been trying to reach you for the last three hours.”

“I knew it.” Keri clenched her fists, visibly trying to control her outrage. Her green eyes held fire.

Maddie stepped over the threshold, taking her luggage with her. She tucked it into the corner and asked, “A cell tower got hit, so my phone was off while they worked to repair it. What’s wrong?” She ignored Keri’s mumblings to hang up the phone and took it off speaker.

“Ugh,” Keri roared, looking upward. “I knew it was too good to be true. Tell Mr. The World Revolves Around Me we have a flight to catch.”

Maddie placed a finger over her lips, but Keri wouldn’t be quieted. She covered her free ear and tried to focus as Axel rambled on about his interview with Natasha that had taken a bad turn. She listened with half an ear, mouthing to Keri she would be three seconds, max.

In a huff, Keri stomped through the door. “I’m going downstairs to look out for Rochelle,” she said, giving Maddie the evil eye. Rochelle was Keri’s coworker and Maddie’s friend by association. She gave Keri a nod and attempted to concentrate on Axel’s words.

“I can’t go to my home or my family’s homes. I wanted to ask if—”

She cut him off, heading into the kitchen to grab an orange. She hadn’t eaten that morning. Just then the AC let out a squeal. She frowned. It sounded like she had pigs running around in her unit. Maddie spoke louder so she could be heard over the noise.

“A bad interview is not an emergency, Axel.” Shutting the front door to keep out the flies, Maddie walked a few feet into the large living room area and sat on the microfiber couch she had purchased from Ashley HomeStore.

“Have you been on my social pages?” he shot back, his tone sounding incredulous. And frazzled.

“Yes, Axel, because my vacation time is all about you,” she said, affronted at his narcissism. “Emphasis on the word vacation. I’ve been planning this trip for ages. You know this.” She jabbed her thumb into the fruit to peel it with her hands. The juice flowed all over her fingers.

He released a heavy breath. “I know it’s your time off, and I’m sorry to interrupt—”

“Are you? `Cause, I mean, if you were sorry, you wouldn’t interrupt.” She bit into the orange, not even trying to hide her exasperation. It occurred to her that Axel, no matter how self-absorbed, was her employer, so she needed to change her tone. But then she dismissed the thought. If he didn’t like her attitude, he could fire her.

She saw a notification that Keri was calling and sent a text that she would be down in a few.

Rochelle and the Uber are here. If you aren’t here in three seconds, we’re leaving was Keri’s response.

Maddie sent a thumbs-up emoji, then groaned. That made it sound like she was okay being left behind, and now she had juice on her phone. Reaching for a paper towel, she wiped her screen. Meanwhile, Axel was still talking. She had to end this call.

“This is different,” Axel said. This time there was no denying the mild hysteria in his tone.

She tossed the paper towel in the trash and paused for a beat. Axel always maintained his cool. Her brows furrowed. Maybe… No. She shook her head, and her annoyance surfaced. He was trying to suck her into some frivolous task or errand. “What is it this time?” she found herself asking, hating that she did. That was a sure sign that Axel was beginning to suck her in.

“Natasha proposed to me on air and I…I said no.”

Maddie’s eyes went wide. She gripped the phone to keep it from falling out of her hands. “What?”

“Yeah, I thought it was a stunt at first, but she meant it.” He exhaled. “When I turned her down, she broke. On live TV. But how can I marry someone I don’t see myself with forever? At least, I don’t think so.” His confusion tore at Maddie’s soft heart. “Everybody’s coming for me. It’s a mess right now, and I can’t go home because the press is camped out at my place—and my family’s.”

That was no surprise. Axel might be the world’s darling, but there was no winning against Natasha and her hive. Her fans were serious. But Maddie needed to keep her stance. She was on vacation. From Axel, his world, all this. Spain was calling. And so was Keri.

“I’m sorry this is happening to you, but I suggest you call your publicist. Let Joni help you. That’s why she earns the big bucks. I have a plane to catch.” Maddie looked at her watch and shot to her feet. She had to get going. She snatched her luggage and scurried to the door, anxious to get off the phone. Just as she put her hand on the doorknob, Axel spoke.

“Maddie, wait…” She heard him take a deep breath before he whispered, “I need you.”

His desperation stilled her. Frozen. Her heart raced. The urgency in his voice sent off an alarm in her senses. Axel had never uttered those words that way before. In fact, she couldn’t recall him ever saying he needed her.

Slowly, her hand fell. In a tone laced with sympathy, she said, “What do you need?”

“I need a place to stay. For a few days. Just until all the frenzy dies down.”

She shook her head. “Go to the Ritz, or that spot in Thailand you like.”

“Can I stay with you?” he asked. “I need to be somewhere no one would think to look for me.”

For some reason, his words pierced her gut. “Why? `Cause I’m not one of the beauties you date?” She knew she was plain, but goodness, she wasn’t a walking horror show. “Go ask one of your groupies.” She cut the call and sent Keri a text.

I’ll meet you at the airport.

I know what that means, Keri returned with crying emojis.

I am coming!!!

Right after she sent that response, the AC emitted what she could only describe as a sigh. Then all went quiet. Thank goodness.

Axel called her on FaceTime. She grunted and answered, but only because she knew the man was relentless.

He continued the conversation by answering her question. “This has nothing to do with your looks, or lack of, or whatever you mean.” He was so much into himself that didn’t even notice that she was looking like a hot mess. “What I meant was your being my assistant works in my favor. No one would think I would be with you.”

Axel’s explanation was insulting, belittling on many levels, but she didn’t have the breath or the patience to explain further. Besides, he wasn’t done pleading. “Please, Maddie, I won’t be but a couple days, and then I will personally fly you first-class—no, make that via private jet—to your undisclosed vacation.”

Maddie swallowed the inexplicable hurt and studied him. His eyes were wide, and he looked frayed.

Maddie felt herself caving.

She was sorry. She was pitiful. And Keri was right. “I’m a pushover,” she said, curving her shoulders. “Fine. You can stay. But only for a few days. How long before you get here?”

He threw her a grateful kiss. “Thank you, Maddie. I’m so glad you agreed, because I don’t know what I would do.” She walked to the windows and parted the teal curtains. A white SUV with dark, tinted windows pulled into the lot. That had better not be him, she thought, even as he said, “I’ll be there later tonight.”

Maddie’s chest heaved. “So, you just knew I would say yes.” This man had a lot of cheek, as her Jamaican father would say.

“No, I hoped. I hoped,” he said, sounding relieved.

“I’m only sticking around long enough to hand you the keys, and then I’m out of here. You’re on your own.”

“But I can’t be seen,” he said. “What if I need something?”

“Not my problem.”

“What if I take you to Spain for a month once this all dies down?”

Predictable response. She sighed. “It won’t be the same. I want to go with my friends, not my boss. I’ve been planning this for a while, and I need this time off.”

“I can be fun.”

She curled her fists. “I’m wasting my breath. You’re not hearing a thing I’m saying. I’ll see you when you get here.”

Maddie pressed End and ate the last bit of the orange. Axel just didn’t get it, so she didn’t know why she had even attempted to explain. Needing to wash her sticky fingers, she grabbed hold of the old spout with such force that it broke, causing water to spray her in the face and hair.

“Noooo,” she yelled out, reaching under the sink to turn off the main pipe before wiping her face. The front of her shirt was also soaked.

She called the maintenance office who informed her that the plumber was swamped and might not get to her repair until Monday. With a groan, Maddie went to restore her hair to some level of decency.

Something else registered. She stilled. The AC was uncharacteristically silent. Had it died? She walked under one of the vents and held up a hand, praying for cool. But all she felt was warm air.

Oh no. First the spout. Then the AC.

Maybe she wasn’t meant to leave.

She texted Keri to let her friend know about the spout and the AC and that she couldn’t make the trip. Then she called a few HVAC technicians until she found one who promised to arrive within thirty minutes.

Hours later, Maddie had a new unit and an exorbitant bill, but she was grateful because she couldn’t survive a night without central air.

Maddie looked outside into the parking lot. Axel had texted that he was a few minutes away.

She saw his long, powerful legs step out of a black vehicle. Axel had the phone crooked between his ear and shoulder, carrying what looked like an oversized duffel bag.

“You won’t regret this,” he said once she let him inside.

“Impossible, because I already do,” she said, stepping out of view. “I already do.”