Page 15 of Light My Fire Three Times
I’m not sure if I’m more horrified by the sticky mess or by how naturally it feels for her to just plop down on me like this. But honestly? I kind of love it.
Despite my awkwardness with babies earlier, Penny’s charm is nearly impossible to resist.
“Uhh, I think Mommy is the one you need for shoes,” I say, trying to shift the responsibility.
But Penny shakes her head vigorously.
“No, you. You’re my friend.” She says it as if it's a fact, as if there’s no other option.
And damn, if that doesn’t tug at my heartstrings a little.
Ivy chuckles. “She’s got you there, Liv. You can’t escape the jam shoes now.”
I look down at Penny, whose hair is as wild as her spirit, and who is currently attempting to curl up like a little cat in my lap. Despite my initial hesitation about jumping into this kind of chaos, I find myself oddly moved.
Her tiny hands clutch at my sweater, making herself at home.
As if feeling my hesitation, Ivy slides closer, making her movements graceful despite the mini tornado she has in her life. She shoots me a knowing look and says, “It’s good for you, Liv. This whole mess. Trust me, it’ll make you feel more alive than a corporate job ever will.”
“I’m sure it will,” I say, though I don’t sound entirely convincing.
The conversation shifts to my job, which is the last thing I want to talk about right now, but of course, it’s the one thing that’s been gnawing at me.
“So, how’s the break from work? Is Richard still on your case?” Ivy asks, casually reaching over to adjust Penny’s wayward curls, as if this is just a typical Tuesday conversation.
Richard.
The name alone sends a small bolt of anxiety through me. I take a sip of my coffee, hoping the caffeine will somehow magic away the uncomfortable tension that’s been sitting in my chest for the last few days.
“Oh, Richard’s been a realdelight,” I say with a humorless chuckle, even though it comes out sounding more like a pained sigh. “Just the usual. Harassing me with late-night emails about ‘urgent matters’ even though I’moff.”
Ivy raises an eyebrow, clearly not buying my half-hearted attempt at a joke. “Liv, you can’t seriously be considering going back to that, can you? He sounds like a nightmare.”
I swallow, feeling my stomach twist at the thought of going back to that soul sucking office, dealing with his passive-aggressive email chains, and the constant pressure to prove myself when I was already stretched thin.
“I mean, it’s complicated, you know? I’ve put years into that job.”
Ivy looks at me, her expression falling as she sees the strain on me. “Liv, I get it, but you’ve also been talking about burnout for how long now? I really don’t like to see you so strained. I mean, what about Coyote Glen? Why not…stay?”
I laugh, despite myself. “You’re trying to convince me to ditch myhigh-powered corporate jobfor a town that has more single firefighters than there are people in my old office. I don’t know if that’s a good idea…”
Ivy grins, her eyes sparkling. “You know what? It’s worth considering. You’ve been drowning in that job for so long, Liv. Maybe it’s time to make a big change. And you know I would love it.”
“I’d love to see you more, too, but I don’t know if I can.”
I’m at a crossroads in my life, though. I just need to decide which path to take next.
CHAPTER SIX
Karl
OCTOBER 31ST
The Hollow is already buzzingby the time I stroll in, and I know I'm walking intomykind of chaos.
Halloween night in Coyote Glen, the bar packed with costumed revelers, lights low, music thumping… this is the kind of party I thrive in. The energy's thick with the promise of a good time, and I’m all about delivering.
The smell of pumpkin spice and cheap tequila hits me in a warm embrace. The place is decked out in every cliché Halloween decoration you could imagine.
