“Jesus, Axel.” My arms encircle her, pulling her into my body. And just as I’d hoped, she wraps her arms around me in return. “I’m still a little surprised you like hugs,” she mumbles. I squeeze her tighter. “I like your hugs.” She makes a humming sound, “No one else’s?” “Nah. No one else hugs me, Baby Girl.” Her arms do their best to squeeze around me. “No one else hugs me either.” It takes a moment for Maddie’s words to sink in. “No one?” I think about the photos on the mantle. “What about your parents?” I feel her body tense against mine, but when I go to pull back, she hugs me tighter.
