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Lux let out a laugh. “Come on, Phoebe. You know how I am. I’m not the relationship type. The only fires I don’t fight are the ones that come with relationships.”

“Maybe it’s because there are no fires to fight.”

Lux chuckled. “That’s a nice one. See, you get it.”

“I don’t. I mean, why not?” Phoebe pressed. “What’s so wrong with wanting something more?”

Lux sighed, running a hand through her hair. “It’s not you, Phoebe. It’s me. I-I can’t do relationships. I’ve tried, but they never work out. They either distract me from my job or suffer because of it. Either way, it never works.”

“Why not?” Phoebe said, her voice now tinged with anger. “Is it because you’re afraid of getting hurt? Or is it because you don’t care about anyone but yourself?”

Lux winced, the accusation hitting a nerve. “That’s not fair, Phoebe. You know I care about you.”

“Do you?” Phoebe retorted. “Or do you just care about what I can give you?”

The room fell silent. Lux turned back to the mirror and tugged her tie one last time. Talking about this with Phoebe wasn’t worth it. She felt a pang in her chest.

“I’ve always felt sorry for you, Lux,” Phoebe said. “You hide behind your humor and carefree attitude, but deep down, you’re scared. Scared of letting anyone in, scared of getting hurt.”

Lux’s jaw tightened, her fists clenching at her sides. “You don’t know anything about me.”

“I know enough,” Phoebe said. “I know you’ll end up alone if you keep pushing everyone away. I know you’ll never find happiness if you don’t learn to open up and let someone in.”

“You’re only saying that to hurt me.” Lux chuckled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “That’s not fair, Phoebe.”

“No,you’renot being fair.”

“You knew how things were with me before now. Why make it an issue now?”

“Because I’m not built for all this, Lux.” Phoebe walked out from the bed, her breasts bare. “I know I agreed not to get attached and all that. It’s just supposed to be sex and nothing more. But you’re you, Lux. How could I not fall in?—”

“Just don’t,” Lux interrupted. “Trust me, you can’t love me.”

“And if I do already?”

“You won’t be the first to say it,” Lux said. “But trust me, you’ll get over it.”

“Is it that evil to let yourself love someone? Are you so certain you want to live the rest of your life alone?”

“I’ve got Mira, honey,” Lux said, watching Phoebe’s face squirm.

“Mira? Are you?—?”

“Mira is my favorite helicopter at the station,” Lux clarified. “You don’t even know that, and yet you think you love me?”

“You love your job more than you love me.”

“Finally, you’re starting to see it.”

“You’re not getting any younger, Lux. You need to find someone to spend your forever with.”

“Thanks, Mom. I never knew being thirty-four meant my life should end.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Of course, you didn’t,” Lux retorted. “Shut the door when you go. You know where to leave the key.”

She turned and walked out of the room, not slowing down until she reached her white truck in the driveway. Her smile wore off the second the door thudded shut behind her.