Not anger.
Not heat.
Something sharper.
Something that cuts.
Then he says, quiet enough that it feels like it’s meant only for me.
“We can annul this—if you want.”
Epilogue
Wyatt
one week later
Devil’s Peak lines up for two things without being asked: fires and gossip.
Today it’s neither.
Today it’s chocolate.
The morning sun hits the front windows of Devil’s Kiss like a blessing, catching the gold letters on the sign and throwing warm light across the sidewalk where half the town has apparently decided this is their new holiday. There are boots and parkas and coffee cups, people shifting from foot to foot like they’re waiting for concert tickets instead of truffles.
Ellie stands behind the counter in a black apron that fits her like armor, hair up, cheeks flushed, eyes bright in that way that makes my chest go tight.
She looks like she belongs here. Because she does.
And she looks like she knows it now.
I’m posted near the front, arms crossed, pretending I’m not watching every face that walks in, pretending I’m not scanning for threats out of habit. The deputy nods at me from the corner where he’s “just grabbing coffee,” and Levi keeps hovering by the display case like a starving man who found religion.
Sadie catches my eye from the doorway and lifts a brow as if to say,You good?
I nod once.
I’m better than good.
I’m wrecked.
Ellie’s smile turns on when she sees the crowd and her shoulders lift, not with fear this time, but with pride. She turns to Levi. “One box per person.”
Levi clutches his chest. “Ellie. I’m a firefighter.”
“Exactly,” she says, deadpan. “You don’t need sugar and heroism.”
Saxon Cole appears like he owns the air, in a crisp uniform shirt, hands in his pockets, calm as a judge. He gives Ellie a slow nod. “Looks good.”
Ellie smiles at him—real, not polite. “Thanks, Captain.”
Saxon’s gaze flicks to me for half a beat. It’s the same look he gave me in his office when he warned me about obsession, except this time it’s… different. Less warning. More acceptance.
“Cooper,” he says.
“Captain,” I answer.
He doesn’t say anything else. He doesn’t have to. He just steps aside and lets the town in like this is how it’s supposed to be.
