MAXWELL'S POV
Absolute silence answered.
Walking purposefully directly to the counter to aggressively tap my fingers loudly against the solid wood demanded attention.
"Is anyone working?" I asked, much louder this time.
Hearing a loud thud coming directly from the back room, followed rapidly by the distinct sound of something cylindrical rolling quickly across the hardwood floor signaled a presence.
"Coming!" a voice yelled brightly.
I froze completely.
Having my hand stop entirely mid-tap, my heart slammed so incredibly hard against my ribs that it genuinely hurt.
That voice.
Being distinctly husky, slightly breathless, and possessing a specific lilt heard vividly in my dreams for a thousand agonizing nights was impossible to mistake.
No, I told myself fiercely. You're hallucina
