Mandy knelt down, wrapping Axel’s small, warm hand in hers. "Time for bed, sweetheart. Let's get you some water first." She stood, guiding him toward the hallway, before turning back to the man who still filled her doorway. "Close my door before you leave."

But Zayn didn’t move. His shadow stretched into her foyer, unmoving. "I’d like a word with you, Mandy."

The instinct to say no rose in her throat. It was late. She was exhausted. The evening had already been too much. But then ...