Page 20 of Blaze

Blaze takes long strides to get to it, and the next thing I know, another woman in her twenties is entering with a tray of food.She must be Arianna because she has curls like mine.

She grins as she passes the tray off to Blaze.“Hey.I’m Arianna.I heard about your fall.How are you feeling?”

“Better.Thank you.”That’s not true.I feel worse today.Like I got hit by a truck.But I’m alive, and I’ll heal.I’m grateful for that.I’m sure any minute now the Tylenol will kick in and I won’t ache as badly.

“That’s good.Gretchen wants to know if there’s any comfort foods you’d like her to prepare while you’re stuck in bed.”

Blaze moves around me, settling the tray across me.I’m starving, and everything smells so good.I gasp when he lifts two plate covers to reveal nearly every breakfast food known to man—scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, toast, pancakes, fruit salad, and even oatmeal.

Arianna laughs.“She wasn’t sure what you might like.She sent coffee and tea.Orangeandapple juice.”

My cheeks flush.“Tell her thank you.She doesn’t need to go to so much trouble.I’m fine with a granola bar.”

Arianna’s smile is infectious.“If you tell Gretchen you like granola bars, she’ll make them from scratch and have a dozen sent up within an hour.”

My turn to laugh.“Okay, don’t tell her that then.Tell her I like really basic sandwiches and chips.Wait… I bet she bakes the bread and fries her own chips.”

Arianna nods.“She does.How about you just tell me what you don’t like or you’re allergic to?”

“Not allergic to anything, and I’m not very picky.”

Blaze sets a hand on my shoulder.“What’s your favorite food?Gretchen lives to please everyone.”

“Spaghetti, I guess.”

Arianna nods.“Got it.”She spins and heads for the door.“Nice meeting you, Vicky.”

As soon as it shuts, Blaze sits next to my hip, carefully so as not to disturb the tray that’s covered with beverages.“Spaghetti, huh?”

“Yes.My stepmom never made it.She said it was a sloppy food that no one could possibly eat without looking ridiculous, so she banned it from the house.”Why do I keep divulging so much information?

Blaze frowns, his face set, brow furrowed as if he’s angry on my behalf.

I lower my gaze to the massive amount of food.“You’re going to eat most of this, right?”

“Sure, baby.Eat what you want.”His voice is so kind and soft.He’s a conundrum.He’s equal parts bossy and gentle.Sometimes at the same time.

I’m both unnerved and pleased by the way he pays such close attention to me.In fact, when I don’t move to start eating, he picks up a fork, cuts off a chunk of pancake, and holds it to my lips.

I accept the bite and moan as I chew and swallow.For one thing, I’m starving.For another thing, these are the best pancakes I’ve ever tasted.I take the fork from him and go after the pancakes.“Damn, these are good.”

Blaze reaches for another set of utensils and cuts off a piece of sausage.“Gretchen is the best cook in the world.I’ve only been here two weeks, but I’m so spoiled I could never leave.”

“She really is.”I eat scrambled eggs, bacon, and fruit like it’s my last meal.That’s how hungry I am.In between, I drink orange juice.When I can’t swallow another bite, I pour honey into the tea and lean back to sip it while Blaze polishes off everything I didn’t finish, including the apple juice and the coffee.

He sets the tray on the floor before climbing onto the other side of the bed and stretching out next to me.I can practically see the inquisition coming.

Chapter9

Victoria

“You mentioned your stepmom.Is she in Portland?Is that where you grew up?”

I reach over and set my empty teacup on the nightstand before leaning back against the pillows.“Yeah.”

“Do you want to tell me why you’re driving through Arizona alone with all of your belongings and no phone?”

I take a deep breath.“Not really, but I guess I don’t have a choice.”