I grumble under my breath but don’t protest, mostly because my legs still feel like jelly from that death trap of a ride. My brain is still catching up, trying to process how I’m somehow still alive and not currently being scraped off the pavement.

The bell above the door chimes as we step inside, and instantly, my senses are flooded with warmth. The comforting scent of roasted coffee beans and buttery pastries wraps around me like a hug, and for the first time since Orion decided to drive like a lunatic, I can breathe again.

Valkyrie, the ever-adaptable traitor, wags her butt happily like she wasn’t just an accomplice in my near-death experience. She trots ahead, nose twitching at the air, already on high alert for potential snack opportunities.

It’s mid-afternoon, so the morning rush has died down, but there are still a few customers scattered around.

There are people sipping lattes, tapping away at laptops, or chatting in low murmurs. The atmosphere is cozy, all warm wood tones and golden light filtering through the windows, a stark contrast to the car-induced adrenaline still thrumming in my veins.

My eyes find where Theo is behind the counter.

His sleeves are rolled up, a towel slung over his shoulder, looking effortlessly put together like he hasn’t spent the last several hours grinding coffee and dealing with caffeine-dependent people. The moment he spots me, his face brightens. I watch as his gaze shifts to Orion, and there it is—the subtle way his posture shifts. He knows exactly who Orion is to me, and judging by the grin that’s devilishly growing, he’s ready to have some fun at my expense.

I sigh internally. Here we go.

“Theo, this is my brother, Orion,” I say, bracing myself for whatever nonsense is about to come out of my brother’s mouth.

Theo wipes his hands on the towel and extends his hand. “Nice to finally meet you.”

Orion grips his hand, and I can already see the gears turning in his head, his protective instincts kicking in. He doesn’t say anything for a beat too long, then finally nods.

I smack his arm. “Stop using your Jedi mind tricks.”

Orion chuckles and releases his grip. “Just making sure he’s real. You tend to romanticize things.”

Theo smirks. “Good to know.”

I groan and decide I need caffeine immediately before this conversation devolves any further. I place my order with Theo and after Orion places his I drag him away before he can try to embarrass me further.

The moment we step out of the cafe, I spin on my heel and point a finger at Orion. “I am not getting back in that rental with you until my heart rate returns to normal.”

Orion rolls his eyes and scoffs. “It wasn’t that bad.”