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Lux’s grip felt tighter around Zoey’s body. “That explains why you wanted a rescue-first operation.”

Zoey nodded, saying nothing.

They stayed like that for a while longer, the silence between them filled with unspoken understanding. Zoey felt a sense of peace settle over her, a feeling of safety that she hadn’t experienced in a long time.

“Thank you,” Zoey said.

Lux smiled, her eyes soft and full of warmth. “You don’t have to thank me. I’m just glad you felt like you could share that part of yourself with me.”

When they pulled back, Zoey rested her forehead against Lux’s, her breath mingling with Lux’s in the small space between them.

“I don’t know what comes next,” Zoey said. “But I’d hoped that Phoenix Ridge would save me.”

“It will, if you let it,” Lux said and her dreamy blue eyes focussed on Zoey.

“Right now, we should focus on getting more food to eat. Those berries won’t save us for long.”

“I bet if we followed that little stream a little, we’d find some fish,” Zoey said.

“You bet or you know?”

“Wild guess,” Zoey said.

“Let’s catch our breath before checking it out,” Lux said. “Deal?”

Zoey laughed. “Deal.”

15

LUX

Zoey was right after all. There was a space not so far off from the spot where they had their bath where they could catch fish.

They stood in the middle of the river, their hands submerged. Lux stood beside Zoey and demonstrated to her how to catch a fish by hand.

Zoey tried to emulate Lux, but she tipped over and fell in the water, and Lux watched with an amused smile.

The sun started to rise, casting long shadows over the water, making it feel surreal.

“Here, do it like this,” Lux said, stepping closer to Zoey and holding her hands poised over the water. Her touch was gentle but firm, and Zoey’s chest fluttered.

“Like this?” Zoey tilted her head back to look at Lux, who nodded.

“Yeah, just like that,” Lux said. “Now, flick your wrist a little as you drop your arm in the water when you see a fish.”

“I’m really not good at this,” Zoey said, her cheeks growing warm.

“It takes practice,” Lux said. “My dad taught me when I was little. He used to take my brother and me out every weekend, rain or shine. Fishing was his way of keeping us connected, I guess.”

Zoey glanced at Lux, noticing the way her eyes softened as she spoke about her father. There was a warmth in her voice that made Zoey want to know more.

“You must be close to him,” Zoey said.

Lux nodded, her gaze fixed on the water. “Yeah, I am. Especially after my mom passed. I was just a kid, and my brother wasn’t much older. It was tough, but my dad did everything he could to make sure we didn’t feel like we were missing out on anything.”

“I’m sorry about your mom,” Zoey said quietly, not sure what else to say.

Lux shrugged, but there was a tightness in her expression. “It was a long time ago, but it still hurts sometimes. I miss her, you know? But I had my dad and my brother. They made it easier.”