The place creaks again, a soft groan from above as if the bungalow is sighing. Her nan’s room is next, practically untouched apart from smoke damage, her clothes still in the closet, her bed still made, everything covered with a fine layer of black dust. There’s lots of things here that are salvageable, but I don’t want Sera to see the devastation.
I’ll just come back and salvage what I can.
Chapter Thirteen
SERA
Iwave goodbye to Jo after dropping me off at the fire station, a tin of baked cookies under my arm. Dusk settles overhead, and the cold bite of December wind nips at my bare legs, blowing the short pleated skirt I’m wearing.
Racing towards the station, I halt in front of a shiny car. My car.
Drake’s wiping the hood. “Oh, hey Sera.”
“You cleaned my car?”
“Yeah, she’s as good as new.” He hands me the keys, and I throw my one free arm around his neck.
“Thank you so much. I brought cookies, but they're not enough to thank you guys.”
“Cookies?” His smile widens. “Come on, let’s get you inside.”
Christmas music plays from the radio, and the decorations I put up the last time I was here make the place look festive and cosy.
“Sera brought cookies,” Drake says as we enter the dayroom and takes the tin from me to place it on the counter.
Hollywood practically runs over. “Take-out and cookies in the same day, we’re spoiled.”
Bear drops his paperwork onto the desk and strides over to me without a word. He just wraps me in a big bear hug. “I’m sorry about your home, kiddo.”
My lip trembles. “Thank you.”
“You need anything?” Hollywood asks.
Phoenix places a hand on my shoulder and says, “How you doing?”
“I, uh… brought cookies.” I open the tin, the aroma of homemade goods filling the space, making it more festive. “To say thank you. For… everything.”
Hollywood whistles low. “If they taste half as good as they smell, Chief better put a ring on you before I do.”
Laughter ripples around the room. My cheeks burn, but I smile anyway. “They’re just cookies.”
“Yeah, and I’m just hungry,” Drake says, snatching the tin from Hollywood before he eats them all. “Chief, your girl’s a keeper.”
My heart does a stupid flutter atyour girluntil Flint’s voice cuts through the noise.
“She’s not my girl.”
The laughter fades along with my smile. He’s in the doorway that leads to his office, arms folded across that broad chest, an unreadable expression on his face.
I wrap my arms around myself, the heat of embarrassment crawling up my neck.Not his girl.The words ring in my ears. Maybe last night was just adrenaline. Maybe I imagined all of it. “I just wanted to drop these off. I should?—”
“How did you get here? Have you walked all the way here in that?” He points to my checked pleated skirt and bare legs. “You’ll catch your death.”
“I got a lift.” I slip off the coat Ember gave me and reveal the green cat sweater she sent. Her clothes leave a lot to be desired, but I managed to put a decent outfit together after rolling her pleated skirt up at the waist. I wanted to look nice… for him.
Flint crosses the room in two long strides and takes a cookie from the tin. “You made these?”
“Yeah. I used the ingredients from your cupboard. I hope it’s okay. I’ll replace everything I promise.”
