Flint blows on a piece on his fork. “You okay?”
I nod, though my throat aches. “Yeah. Just… feels weird, you know? Doing all this without her.”
He scrapes the pie from the fork with his teeth, chews and swallows with a nod. “The first year is always the hardest, as you go through all the seasons, holidays, and birthdays. But it will get easier. You’ll always miss her, but the sadness won’t be so overwhelming.”
I know he’s talking from experience. His parents are both gone. Lucky for me, I never knew mine. My nan was like a mother to me.
He waves his fork in my direction before breaking off another bite. “Eat your pie before it gets cold.”
A small smile unfurls my lips. “Bossy.”
“Chiefy,” he corrects with a smirk. “What was it you called me at the Halloween party when you were drunk off your ti—” He clears his throat. “—face on cider?”
My cheeks heat thinking of that night. I almost kissed him. I did kiss him. Even though it was on the cheek. I tried to kiss him again when he took me home, but he kept me at arm’s length. I feigned ignorance the next day.
“Chiefy Flintsy Sparkles, I think you called me.” He laughs as he takes another bite of pie, sharing straight from the same plate. The crust is still warm, sweet with cinnamon.
“The name suits you.”
He chuckles with a mouthful of pie. “I have a name for you too.” He waves the fork in my direction as he lazily leans against the countertop.
“Oh yeah? What’s that?” I meet his gaze, my stomach doing that weird somersault again.
He studies me, chewing down his pie. “Maybe I’ll tell you one day.”
“You won’t.”
He smirks, eyes locked on mine. “If I did, you’d never look at me the same.”
“Maybe I already don’t.”
The silence between us thickens. His jaw tightens, his gaze flicking from my eyes to my mouth and back again.
He exhales softly. “Eat your pie, sweetheart, before I forget I’m supposed to be the responsible one here.”
“You don’t have to be responsible all the time. You should try being spontaneous.”
He chuckles again. “I think you’re spontaneous enough for the both of us.” He glances at his watch and sighs. “Speaking of being responsible, I promised the guys I’d swing by the station tonight.”
“Always on duty,” I tease.
“Someone’s gotta keep Starlight Bay from burning down.” He smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Remember to turn off your Christmas lights before you go to bed, yeah?”
“Yes, Chief,” I say, mock-saluting him.
His mouth twitches. “That’s my girl.”
The words hang between us before he clears his throat and grabs his jacket.
When he finally leaves, the room feels too quiet again. But the tree glows in the corner, and the air smells of apples. Warmth spreads in my chest, along with a dangerous sense of hope. I trace a fingertip over the rim of my plate and smile. Thesmall remaining piece of pie’s gone cold, but I don’t care. My cheeks still burn from the way he called me his girl.
Chapter Four
FLINT
The clang of lockers, the hiss of the drinks machine, the chatter that never stops are exactly what I need after a sleepless night like last night.
I tossed, turned, and replayed every second of being in that bungalow with her. My firecracker. I tell myself it’s just because I’m tired, that I’m not a complete idiot, but the ache in my chest says otherwise.
