When the clock on the wall reads eleven-thirty and my eyelids are barely able to stay open, Chief and I leave the room and head towards the elevator. I was supposed to be off at six this morning and my tired mind wanders back to Lia. I missed seeing her this morning. I enjoy the hour or so I hang back while she opens the bakery and serves the early morning customers. I love to sit along the back counter and watch as she interacts and laughs with the town folk. Now, by the time I get back to the station, clean up, and head for home, it’s going to be early afternoon.
When I got back to the station, my team was waiting for me. We bullshitted about the fire and they asked about my trip to the hospital and the status of Nathan, so it is even later than I thought it would be when I finally got on the road after the world’s fastest shower. The drive back to Rivers Edge seems to be the longest I’ve ever experienced. And the lukewarm too-strong coffee from the station just isn’t cutting it any longer. When I hit the “Welcome to Rivers Edge” sign on the edge of town, it was the first time I really took a deep breath since I entered that burning building.
Three times. That’s how many times I made a grab for my phone so I could text or call Lia before the black screen reminded me that my battery was dead. I pull the Mustang into the back lot and make quick work of getting to the back door of the bakery. I’m exhausted. Bone tired. But the thought of seeing Lia has given me a second wind.
I throw open the door and scan the warm kitchen. Avery comes through the swinging door and glares at me. Glares. The kind of look I imagine she gives one of her children when she’s unhappy and wants them to know it. A look I’ve seen from my mother. Avery has it perfected.
“Nathan Michael Stevens, where the hell have you been?” she fumes, hands angrily perched on her hips.
“Uh, hi to you too, Ave,” I say, trying to lighten the mood a little before I dive into the story of where I’ve been.
“No. Don’t you do that,” she scolds as tears fill her blue eyes. “I get here around ten o’clock and Lia is a freaking mess. Then, Mom calls me asking about where you are. Apparently, she saw the fire on the news. We’ve been calling and calling you for over three hours, Nathan!”
Shit. The news. “Listen, I’m sorry I didn’t call. My battery on my phone died, and I left the charger at home,” I reply.
“Are you okay?” she asks as she swallows hard and fights to keep the tears from escaping her eyes.
I don’t hesitate as I stalk towards her and throw my arms around her. She’s so tiny and petite in my arms, much like Lia. “I’m fine, I promise. Where is Lia?” I ask, looking over her shoulder and out into the storefront of the bakery.
“I sent her home an hour ago. She was a mess. When I got the call from Mom, she overheard most of the phone conversation. I asked her if she had heard from you or seen you and she just sort of panicked,” Avery says.
Shit. “I need to go up and see her,” I tell her as I release Avery from my grip and head towards the door.
“I’ll call Mom and tell her that you’re okay. She’s been worried sick and I’m sure she has everyone on standby, waiting for an update.”
“Thank you, Ave. I owe you,” I tell her as I head out the door.
“I want the whole story, Nate,” she says as I slam the door closed behind me. I take the stairs two at a time until I reach the platform before her door. I don’t even knock. I can’t. I need to see her. Now.
“Lia?” I holler as I let myself inside her apartment. “Lia!” I say firmly as I head towards the hallway.
My beautiful angel walks out of her bedroom with red-rimmed, puffy eyes. Relief floods through me when I see her, and I watch as she does the same. She gives me a look-over and checks me from head to toe and then back up again. I advance and she’s in my arms a second later. I inhale her sweet scent. Her shampoo washes away the smell of burnt wood and smoldering plastic that is etched in my nose. Her arms wrap firmly around my neck as I practically squeeze the daylights out of her. I just can’t get close enough to her.
“You’re here,” she whispers against my shoulder.
“Yeah, I had a little delay,” I say, still holding her tightly against my chest. I can practically feel her erratic heartbeat pounding wildly against my chest.
God, I love this woman.
I suck in a deep breath and my eyes fly open as the realization washes over me. Fuck, I’m in love with her. One hundred percent, without a shadow of a doubt, I love her.
She pulls away and wipes her wet eyes with the backs of her hands. “So, you’re okay,” she says matter-of-factly as she puts distance between us. Lia now stands before me, arms crossed protectively on her chest.