“What?” I tug the duvet around my neck, snuggling against the pillow. What are you smiling at?”
“I’m just really fucking happy. I never thought I’d feel things again. Then I met you and…” His fingers brush the screen as if he’s touching my face. “…and now I feel everything all at once.”
Warmth swells in my chest. “I know what you mean.”
“Get some sleep, pumpkin,” he whispers. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I press my forehead to the phone like a ridiculous, soppy idiot and whisper back, “Night, dragon.”
He answers with a soft chuckle.
“Or is it Mr. October? Though we’re in November now.”
“Baby, I’m gonna be your man of the month, every month.”
I believe him and set the phone face-down on the nightstand, the glow of his smile still etched in my memory. Around me, the cats rearrange themselves into a warm, purring barricade. Ghost gives one solemn, almost disapproving blink before settling. I close my eyes, fingers still tingling from where his voice ran across my skin.
Somewhere between the quiet and the purrs, I decide maybe fossils do carry embers, and there’s plenty more sparks left to be fanned.
Chapter Eighteen
DRAKE
Iwhistle as I make everyone’s coffee, moving around the firehouse collecting mugs.
“What’s got you in a cheery mood?” Bear asks, lowering the morning paper.
“Nothing.”
“I’m guessing it has nothing to do with Chief’s Yankee pot roast and more to do with his sister?” Hollywood grins, looking up from the phone desk.
Phoenix shrugs off his turnout coat. “How was it at the chief’s? Did you get roasted?”
“It was actually…” I press my lips together, watching the coffee drip into the mug, the aroma filling the space. “…it was like family.”
Phoenix wraps an arm around me and rubs his hand through my hair. “Chief’s favourite pet, huh?”
“Cut it out.” I shrug out of his hold.
The hiss of the coffee machine and the sound of Bear’s laugh booming off the concrete walls make the station feelalive. I settle onto the worn couch with my mug, hoping for five bloody minutes of peace, but of course, that’s wishful thinking.
Hollywood plops down beside me. “So, dragon boy, how’s the book club going?”
I frown into my coffee. “What?”
“Book club.” His grin widens. “Heard you spent last night reading in bed.”
Bear nearly chokes on his donut. “Is that what they call it these days? Reading?”
Phoenix leans against the lockers, arms folded with a guilty look in his eyes while suppressing a grin.
“You told them?”
He shrugs. “Didn’t know it was a secret.”
I glare at all three of them. “You lot ever mind your own business?”
Hollywood smirks. “Not when it’s this entertaining. The man’s got scorch marks on his cheeks.”
