Page 14 of Echoes of You

The door to the back room opened, and a teenage girl appeared, holding a pizza box. She blushed as she met my gaze. “I’ve got your pie, Nash. All the toppings except for anchovies.”

I shot her a grin as I pushed back from the table. “Thanks, Sheila.”

“Of course.” She ducked her head and dipped out of the room.

Holt chuckled. “Someone’s got a crush.”

I grabbed my phone and keys from the table. “Can you blame her? I’m awesome.”

Grae snorted. “And have no ego at all.”

“I’m so glad you see all my attributes.”

She stuck out her tongue at me.

“I gotta run. You need anything else from me?” I asked Holt.

He shook his head. “I’ll send out the results tonight.”

Dad looked up at me. “You going to see Maddie?”

I nodded. “That cabin she’s staying in is a sty. She’s been cleaning it like crazy, so I figured she’d probably need food.”

Dad frowned. “Jordan shouldn’t have rented it to her if it wasn’t up to snuff.”

“I completely agree.”

Grae sighed. “He was trying to be nice. There were no other places available for long-term rent.”

“He was trying to make a buck,” I argued.

“Whatever.”

I didn’t have time to bicker with my little sister about her boss, not when the pizza was still hot. “I’ll see you guys later.”

I got a series oflaters and chin lifts as I headed out. Hurrying to my SUV, I got in and drove to Maddie’s cabin. It was still light when I pulled up. Her windows were open, and I heard the telltale sounds of a vacuum coming from inside.

Climbing the front steps, I reached for the doorknob. Locked. Good. Given everything we’d dealt with around here lately, you couldn’t be too careful.

I raised my hand and knocked loudly on the door. A second later, the vacuum cut off.

“Who is it?”

“The big bad wolf. But I come bearing gifts.”

A snort sounded, and the door opened.

Maddie’s beauty was always a sucker punch. It could steal your breath and freeze you to the spot. I’d gotten used to the feeling over the years, but being away from her for so long? I’d lost a little of that immunity and desensitization.

Looking at her now? I felt it all.

Her haunting blue eyes widened as she took in the box in my hands. “Wildfire?”

“All the toppings.”

She shrieked and gave a little jump.

I chuckled. “Does that mean I can come in?”

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