"Could we?" I ask, and I hear the vulnerability in my own voice.
"I think so," she says. "If we both want to."
"I want to," I say without hesitation. "I want to try. I want to see where this goes. I want..."
I trail off, and she waits patiently.
"I want you," I finally say. "Not just for tonight. Not just until the fire is out. I want you in my life, in Maddie's life, and I want something that is real and lasting."
Her breath catches. "Dylan..."
"I know it's fast," I say quickly. "I know we’ve only known each other for a few weeks. But I also know that I've not felt thisway about anyone since Sarah, and I don't want to waste time pretending I don't feel it."
She shifts closer until her forehead is resting against mine. "I feel it too," she whispers. "I'm scared out of my mind, but I feel it too."
I close the distance between us and kiss her. It's soft and slow and full of every promise I'm not brave enough to say out loud yet.
When we pull apart, she curls into my side, her head resting on my chest. I wrap my arm around her and hold her close, listening to the sound of her breathing as it slowly evens out.
For the first time in three years, I fall asleep with someone in my arms.
I waketo the sound of my phone buzzing aggressively on the nightstand.
I grab it, careful not to wake Piper, and see the alert flashing across the screen.
EVACUATION ORDER. VALENTINE RESIDENTS EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY. FIRE APPROACHING TOWN LIMITS.
My blood turns to ice.
"Piper," I say urgently, shaking her shoulder. "Piper, wake up."
She stirs, blinking up at me in confusion. "What?"
"Evacuation order," I say. "We have to go. Now."
She sits up immediately, all traces of sleep gone. "What about Maddie?"
"I'll get her," I say, already throwing on clothes. "Pack your bag. We leave in five minutes."
She nods and moves quickly, grabbing her things while I run down the hall to Maddie's room.
"Bug," I say gently, scooping her up from her bed. "We have to go on an adventure."
She blinks sleepily. "Where are we going?"
"To Grandma's house," I say, I know my mom's place is outside the evacuation zone. "It’ll be fun, like a sleepover."
She nods and wraps her arms around my neck, trusting me completely. “Is Piper coming too?”
“Yes, she is coming with us.”
“Good, I don’t want her to be in danger.” I kiss her on the head, she is such a thoughtful kid and she’s fallen for Piper, I hope that we can make things work between us, for me, but also for Maddie.
By the time I get back downstairs, Piper is already waiting by the door with both of our bags. Her face is pale, but her hands are steady.
"Ready?" I ask.
"Ready," she says.
