Page 108 of Burning For You

Fourteen? That had to mean Sara was older than Sean. Unless she had a child in high school.

Anything was possible and not really her concern.

That thought shouldn’t have even jumped into her brain.

She had no right to judge anything.

“How long have you two been together?” It didn’t seem as if Sean wanted to talk much, so she’d try.

“Two years,” Sara said. “I moved to the area about three years ago for my ex’s job. But we split right after. I met Sean at work.”

“So you work together now?”

“No,” Sara said. “I changed jobs. We were at the same factory, Sean on the floor, me in the office, but I left for a better job.”

“I work a lot,” Sean said. “Don’t make shit hourly but get a lot of OT and pick up shifts.”

“He’s been working a lot lately,” Sara said. “Which is good with the holidays coming up. We don’t get to see each other as much, but it’s fine. I like knowing he’s home in bed with me at night, even if I’m sleeping when he comes in half the time.”

She smiled. “I’m glad you found that.”

“I noticed you’ve been writing a lot of articles,” Sara said. “I asked Sean what you did and he wasn’t really sure, other than that.”

“Yeah. It’s only part time. I wanted something to get me out of the house some. I’m a technical writer and work from home, so if I don’t have a reason to get out much, I might live in my sweats and only venture out for food every few weeks.”

There was no reason to go into more.

Not that she wanted to write a book. No details on her job.

Sean didn’t appear as if he cared since he didn’t ask much.

Their one conversation about their parents’ fire, he’d told her she was overthinking it.

The same as Ash and the Lancasters.

She didn’t know how many more times someone had to tell her that for her to believe it, but maybe she finally was. Not like she had much of a choice when all the facts pointed to the same things.

And the arsonist, he hadn’t gotten in touch with her like she’d thought he would.

But again, the fire last night. They knew who started it.

The teen confessed and he was going to have it on his record for life.

Because someone was bullying him and all he wanted to do was send a signal back.

To throw a bottle with a rag of fire into the bushes. Not even. Just the front lawn to burn a spot.

But adrenaline had him heaving it harder.

When he’d seen what he’d done, he’d gotten scared he’d be caught.

He’d even admitted he wanted to knock on their door and wake them up. Anything.

Fear had him running. Just like it looked on the neighbor’s video footage. Such a sad thing for everyone.

And Ash was right. She got her article. She posted it and then there were crickets.

From the anonymous person sending her emails. From her boyfriend who was pissed at her for even thinking it might be Alan. For her wanting to go home last night rather than stay with him.