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“You’re amazing, you know that?”

Lux chuckled softly, shaking her head. “I’m just doing my job, Zoey.”

Zoey shook her head, her expression earnest. “No, it’s more than that. You’re brave, and strong, and you care so much about the people around you. That’s not just doing your job; that’s being an incredible person.”

Lux looked at her, a warmth in her blue eyes that made Zoey’s heart flutter. “Thank you.”

“He’s still in Phoenix Ridge?” Zoey asked. “Your father?”

“Yeah. Sometimes he shows up at the station just to give the Chief Thompson hell.”

Zoey raised her brow. “Hell?”

“In a good way,” Lux said, laughing. “Chief Thompson is...well, she’s like a mother to me, really.”

Zoey could hear the affection in Lux’s voice, and it made her smile. “It sounds like you’re really close.”

”We are.”

“And Jay?” Zoey asked, curious about the person Lux spent so much time with in the air.

“Jay.” Lux said, a fond smile spreading across her face. “She’s a good woman. A bit of a joker, but she’s solid. We’ve been partners for a while now, and there’s no one else I’d trust more up there with me. She’s always got my back.”

“That’s nice.”

They fell into a comfortable silence

Zoey let the quiet linger, savoring the warmth of Lux’s hand in hers. She could feel the steady beat of her own heart, a comforting rhythm that seemed to sync with Lux’s breathing. The world outside their little bubble had faded away, leaving only the two of them, connected in a way that felt both profound and intimate.

Lux’s fingers tightened around hers, grounding her in the moment. Zoey’s gaze drifted over Lux’s face, taking in the way her lips curved into a gentle smile, the way her eyes held a softness that made Zoey’s chest ache with something she couldn’t quite name.

“Can I ask you something?” Zoey said, her voice breaking the silence.

“Of course,” Lux replied, her thumb still tracing slow circles on Zoey’s hand.

Zoey hesitated for a moment, gathering her thoughts. “Why did you become a firefighter? I mean, I know you said you wanted to follow in your dad’s footsteps, but...why this? Why something so dangerous?”

Lux’s smile faded a little. “It’s a good question. I guess part of it is that I just loved the thrill. With my dad being my only parent, I grew up having a thing for danger.”

Zoey nodded. “That makes sense.”

“Dad didn’t think it did at first.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. So I first became a pilot.”

“Smart.”

“But it’s more than that too. There’s something about it...the adrenaline, the challenge. It’s like every time I go out there, I’m reminded of what I’m capable of. It’s hard to explain, but it’s almost like...it gives me a purpose.”

“You’re really brave, you know that?” Zoey felt a surge of admiration for Lux, for the courage it took to face danger day in and day out.

Lux’s lips quivered into a small smile. “I don’t always feel brave. Sometimes I’m scared out of my mind. But I think that’s part of it too.”

“I think that makes you even braver. Doing what needs to be done, even when you feel scared.”

Lux’s smile widened, a warmth spreading through her eyes. “Thanks, Zoey.”