I didn’t sleep.
Not really.
I lay on my childhood bed at my mom’s house, staring at the ceiling I’d memorized years ago, replaying the sound of Abby’s breath hitching when I kissed her.
The way she pulled back like she’d touched something hot.
The look in her eyes when Daisy hugged me goodbye—fear mixed with longing.
I told myself that leaving her kitchen was the right thing to do.
I tell myself a lot of things.
Aaron is already there when I walk into the bay, clipboard in hand, coffee balanced dangerously close to the edge of the desk.
“You look like hell,” he says pleasantly.
“Morning to you too,” I reply, grabbing a mug.
He watches me pour coffee I don’t need. “You okay?”
I nod automatically. “Fine.”
“You saved a kid yesterday.” Aaron snorts. “Then you vanished like a ghost. No one who’s fine does that.”
I don’t answer. There’s no version of the truth that fits easily into conversation before eight a.m.
Justin strolls in next, tugging on his gloves. “Hey, hero,” he says. “Word travels fast in a town this size.”
I stiffen slightly. “It was my job.”
“It was your volunteer job,” Kendrick adds, joining us. “Don’t deflect.”
I stare into my coffee like it might have some tips for me It doesn’t.
“Actually, speaking of yesterday…” Aaron clears his throat. “The school called first thing this morning.”
That gets my attention.
“The elementary school?” I ask.
“Yep,” he says. “Principal wants someone to do a fire safety refresher. Kids are rattled after the neighborhood fire.”
I think of Daisy sitting on the ambulance bumper, legs swinging, talking like the world was still fundamentally good even after having her life threatened in such a terrifying way.
“I’ll do it,” I say immediately.
Aaron lifts an eyebrow. “You sure?”
“Yes.”
Justin smirks. “He didn’t even hesitate.”
I ignore him.
Aaron studies me for a long moment, then nods. “Okay. It’s tomorrow morning. You’ll coordinate with the room parents. Apparently one of them is… invested.”
My stomach tightens.
