Voices float up the stairs. “Where is she?” Ember says.
“I let her sleep in this morning.” Flint’s voice is gravelly, but it warms my heart, easing the tightness in my chest.
The stairs creak. “I’ll just drop these in the guest bedroom and check on her?”
Shit. I search the floor for my clothes, but they’re nowhere to be seen.
“No,” Flint shouts.
Footsteps on the stairs halt.
Flint clears his throat. “Let her sleep. She needs it.”
I rummage through Flint’s closet and throw on a t-shirt and sweats, a little snug around my breasts and hips, but they will have to do.
Footsteps retreat, and I let out a breath as I pad out of his bedroom and down the stairs.
His scent still clings to me, and I never want to wash it off.
The kettle bubbling in the kitchen and the aroma of coffee draws me in like a homing beacon. “Morning.” My voice is hoarse and scratchy.
“Oh, sweetheart.” Ember throws her arms around me, still wearing her coat as if she just got here. “How you holding up?”
Memories of last night flood back in like a tidal wave. I’d almost forgotten my predicament, being wrapped up with Flint all night. Tears pool in my eyes. Flint grips the edge of the kitchen work surface as our gaze locks over Ember’s shoulder. He’s unreadable as always.
Ember lets me go and shrugs off her coat. “I brought you some things.” Two large bags are on the floor, and she lifts one onto the counter. “I picked you up a toothbrush and someessentials. And I’ve picked out some of my clothes for you. But we can always go shopping and get you some new things.”
I lift an item from one of the bags. A bright green Christmas sweater with a cat wrapped in fairy lights on the front. A smile lifts my cheeks up, forcing the tears to drip down my face.
Ember gives me a sympathetic smile, pointing to the sweater. “It was either that or one that said crazy cat lady.”
“Are the cats all right?” Flint asks, handing his sister a mug of coffee.
She blows into the hot drink. “Yeah, luckily they were all inside, and the bungalow is far enough away that the fire hasn’t caused any serious damage. Drake got the cats out and brought them all to his house. But I only have nine now as Rosie and Robbie were adopted into their forever homes, and Fidget lives with Sienna and Drake full time.”
Guilt claws at my neck, knowing I caused all this upheaval for everyone.
“Isn’t it about timeyoulived with Drake full time?” Flint asks, his arms folded across his inked chest. He looks good without a shirt on.
“We’ve talked about it.” Ember smiles behind her mug and turns to me. “I guess you’ll be staying here with Flint until you get your insurance.” She places her mug on the counter. “You have insurance, don’t you?”
“I… I think Nan had insurance.” I cover my face with my palms. “Oh gosh, I don’t know. I was still sorting through all her stuff since she passed away, and now it’s all gone up in smoke.” More tears swell in my eyes. The air is too thick, every breath scraping my throat raw. I press a hand to my chest, willing my lungs to behave, but my fingers tremble. I gaze up at Flint, needing reassurance.
He takes two steps towards me, but Ember beats him to it and wraps me up in her arms again, her palm rubbing my back.
“We’ll figure it out.”
Flint pauses behind his sister, his hand reaching out as if he wants to touch me, but instead, he runs his fingers through his hair.
Ember pulls away. “We don’t need to look into it today. The most important thing is that you’re here and you’re safe.”
Flint nods as if agreeing with his sister, then turns to pour more coffee.
“What on earth happened to your back?” Ember shrieks.
Flint freezes mid-stir. His back muscles tense. “What?”
Heat licks at my cheeks, and I itch my neck, remembering the hickey he gave me, and play with my hair to hide it more, hoping Ember hasn’t noticed.
