Page 121 of Through the Flames
Out of nowhere, a squeal split the lobby like a fire alarm.
“Eeeeeeellllaaaaa!”
Before I could even turn, Hailey slammed into me, all five-foot-nothing of pure excitement. She hugged me so tight I saw stars, and her familiar scent filled my nostrils.
“What?! What are you—” I wheezed, laughing into her hair. I couldn’t believe she was here! I hadn’t seen her since she moved out, since her and Colt’s schedules were so crazy.
She pulled back just far enough to give me a look that could’ve powered the entire city grid.
“Oh, babe. I think there’s a lot we’ve got to talk about these days.” Her eyes slid past me, up, up, and up some more, until they locked on Hunter, who was standing there like a six-foot-six caution sign in human form.
I opened my mouth, but words?Nowhere to be found.
How could I possibly explain everything that had happened between us?
Hailey didn’t wait. She dragged me half a step closer, like we were about to dissect the meaning of life right there on the marble floor.
“You and Hunter? Hunter fucking Rhodes?” she whispered it like a secret and a scandal all at once, then grinned so wide I thought her face might crack. “That’s a plot twist I didnotsee coming.”
Behind us, Hunter made this low sound, less ‘man’ and more ‘predator who doesn’t appreciate commentary,’ and his hand landed on the small of my back.Heavy. Warm. Possessive.
And it stayed there. Every. Single. Time. Someone’s gaze lingered too long. Which, in this testosterone circus? Everyfive seconds.
I should’ve been annoyed, but nope. My brain was basically clapping like,Oh. Okay. So that’s what territorial looks like in public. Noted.
Of course, Hailey noticed — because she notices everything — and her grin turned wicked.
“Well, damn. No wonder you’ve been MIA. You’ve been out here starring in your own prestige drama.”
“A prestige drama?” I laughed, trying to keep my volume down. We already attracted enough attention as it was.
“Yeah. ThinkThe Crown, except, like, rated XXX.” Her eyes flicked toward Hunter, who was currently radiatingtouch-her-and-I’ll-end-your-bloodlineenergy without even trying. “He’s got that whole royal menace thing going on. Stoic. Powerful. Looks like he could crush nations … or headboards.”
“Hailey,” I hissed, feeling the heat shoot straight up my neck. This was a turn of events I hadn’t seen coming. More often than not, the roles were switched, and I would rib her nonstop.
“What?!” She held up her hands like she was innocent, which was a joke in itself. “I’m just saying, if this was a Netflix special, I’d binge it in one night.”
Heat scorched my face, but before I could form a comeback, she went in for the kill.
“You know what’s crazy? I sure as hell didn’t see this coming, and I thought I knew both of you to a certain extent. I mean, we lived together, and I went to high school with Hunter.” She tilted her head thoughtfully, her lips pursed. “Well, maybe Colt saw it. I’ve never asked him, actually, and that’s the only way he would’ve told me. But I definitely didn’t think Hunter would ever be in any type of relationship.”
I glanced past her, and sure enough, Colt was hanging back like always, quiet and unreadable, one massive hand curled around Hailey’s bag like it was nothing but air. His gaze cut to Hunter, then to me, and I swear there was the smallest flicker ofKnew it.
But Colt would never say this out loud.
“I have news, too!” She shot me a sly look, and my eyes immediately darted down. First, I looked at her left hand — no ring — then at her stomach. Was she …
“Oh my God! Stop it. Not that! I finally figured it out. I know what I want to do with my life!”
I blinked. “Shut the fuck up!”
She beamed, looking both sheepish and triumphant. “No, really! Turns out all the floundering was necessary. Like … soul-searching chaos.” She raised an eyebrow. “But I’m done wandering, Ella. I found my thing.”
I widened my eyes dramatically and clutched her forearms. “Okay, spill.”
Hailey leaned closer, her eyes sparkling with joy. “Teaching. I’m going back to school for my degree. I want to be a high school teacher. Maybe history or English; I don’t actually know yet. I love the idea of guiding kids, helping them figure stuff out, and maybe being the kind of teacher who makes learningactuallyexciting.”
Giving her arm a gentle squeeze, I met her gaze. “This is really fucking cool, Hailey. I’m so glad you took the time to find something you’re passionate about. You’re gonna be so good at it, I just know it.”
