Page 25 of Instant Heat
"One brother, Collin. He is a painter, doing really well for himself too. There weren't many opportunities for him to grow his talent in Ireland. He's younger and easily distracted so me da didn't want him coming to the States alone."
Rae stopped mid-spread and stared at me. I wasn't sure I deserved the wonder shining in her eyes."You gave up your life in Ireland so your brother could go after his dream?"
"I can be a firefighter anywhere."
"You're amazing." Heat crept into me cheeks; I didn't like the feeling one bit. For a few seconds, we just stared at each other, everything else melting away. It was me and her in this little bubble of what I presumed heaven looked like. Nothing and no one else mattered.
The spell was finally broken when she cleared her throat,"So, uhm, your brother he's still—" Her brows drew together."You never did tell me where you moved from."
I pushed off the counter and pulled two plates from the cupboard. Just thinking about Sault Point had me thoughts going to Adam and his family. I didn't want her to see the shame in me eyes."City life wasn't for me, I moved to a little town about three hours north from here not long after Collin graduated and got himself settled."
If Rae noticed the shift in me demeanor she didn't mention it."Oh, I couldn't do city life either." She continued to load the bread with the avocado."West Kirksin born and raised."
"You've lived here your entire life?"
"Yup."
"That explains it, then." I glanced over me shoulder in time to see her brows knit together.
"Explains what?"
"The night we met; you knew I was a newcomer. I thought maybe you were some sort of heavy drinker who lived in the bar."
"What?"
I tried to hide me smile but failed miserably. Unfortunately, before I could tell Rae I was just joking with her, a slice of avocado toast hit me in the chest.
That laugh that had already worked its way to me heart filled the room again. I aimed me raised eyebrow at Rae. Shaking with laughter, she held up both hands."I'm sorry… I didn't think it would really hit you…"
"Oh, you're gonna pay for that."
"I said I was—" I started stalking toward her, she held her hands in front of her as she walked backward."Wait! You stop right there."
When she was backed up against the fridge, I rushed forward. Placing one hand next to her head, I dragged a finger of the other through the smeared avocado on me chest. I looked her straight in the eyes, those deep blue depths pulling me in so fast I almost forgot what I wanted to do.
Almost.
A finger armed with green creaminess swiped over her little button nose before moving to her forehead and cheeks. Rae pressed her palms against me chest, trying to push me away. I dug me heels in and continued to paint her face green.
"There." Stepping back, I admired me handiwork."Pretty as a picture."
She pulled her nose up and planted her hands on her hips."Are you satisfied now?"
I chuckled and shook me head."Not even close, but it will have to do for now."
12
RAELYN
As I pulled into the driveway, I was certain the smile on my lips wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. I turned the key, shutting off the engine, but instead of getting out, I just sat there processing the last fifteen hours of my life.
Had it really been just a few hours?
I dropped my head to the steering wheel and laughed. It wasn't one of those oh-shit-what-have-I-done laughs either, it was one of pure happiness. The moment I stopped questioning it and embraced how right things with Griffin felt, was absolutely liberating.
The possibility that he was just another Rob was there in the back of my mind. The thing was if I kept erring on the side of caution, was I really living? The answer was no. Not just no, but hell no.
I've never felt more alive than I had during the hours spent with Griffin.
