Page 28

Lark

A xel tried. God, he really tried.

But the smoke alarm going off thirty minutes into “simple roasted chicken” was the final straw.

I coughed as Marley waved a dish towel under the alarm, shouting, “This is why real men barbecue!”

Axel stood in the kitchen doorway, arms crossed, the most unimpressed look on his face. “I was distracted. Someone was monologuing about her ex-boyfriend’s obsession with birdwatching.”

Marley grinned. “He had a thing for finches. What was I supposed to do? Compete?”

I collapsed into the armchair, exhausted and amused. For the first time since the storm, my chest didn’t feel so tight. Marley had that effect—equal parts chaos and comfort. And right now, I needed both.

When Axel disappeared into the kitchen to salvage dinner, Marley plopped onto the couch beside me and nudged my foot.

“Alright,” she said. “Let’s have it.”

“Have what?”

“The awkward emotional conversation where you apologize for calling me a narcissistic tornado with intimacy issues, and I pretend like I haven’t held a grudge for two years.”

I blinked. “I never said ‘narcissistic.’ I said ‘explosive and allergic to consequences.’”

“Oh, much better.”

We sat in silence for a second, then both burst out laughing.

Marley leaned her head back. “You scared the hell out of me, Lark. When Jake called, I almost didn’t answer. But I’m glad I did. I forgot how much I missed you.”

Something warm settled behind my ribs.

“I’m sorry,” I said softly. “For what I said. And for disappearing. I didn’t know how to come back after everything with Mom. I just kept moving.”

“Yeah, you always do,” she said. “But maybe now you stop running and actually pick a direction.”

“I don’t even know what I want anymore.”

“Well, let’s start simple.” She held up one finger. “Do you want to keep nearly dying for a living?”

I smiled faintly. “Not… as much as I used to. What about you? I saw you when you were in Ukraine, that bomb landed so close.”

“We are talking about you. Do you want that mountain man of yours?”

I didn’t even hesitate. “Yes.”

She gave a mock gasp. “Emotion! From Lark Bennett! Alert the press!”

I swatted her with a pillow. “You are the press.”

She sobered a little, nodded. “Maybe you don’t need all the answers right now. Maybe you just need to permit yourself to figure it out… slowly. With the guy who clearly worships the ground you hobble on.”

Axel walked back in just then, holding a plate that may or may not have contained chicken. “I heard that.”

“Good,” Marley said, smirking. “Because if you screw this up, I’ll come back.”

He looked at me. “Is that a threat?”

“Absolutely,” she said, smiling.

That’s when Fraiser walked in. He looked at Marley, turned, and walked out.

“Ass,” Marley whispered under her breath.

“Do you know Fraiser?” Axel asked.

We met. She looked at us. “I have to leave. I’m on my way to the Gaza strip, I’ll call you when I get back.”

She hugged me. “ I love you, please stay safe.”

“I don’t think you should be going to the Gaza Strip, or anywhere right now; there are wars going on,” Axel said, looking at her.

Axel, thank you for your concern, but a promise is a promise. Believe if I stayed any longer, you would be kicking me out.”

“Where did you meet Fraiser?” I asked, curious.

I don’t remember it was where a war was going on. Bye,” she grabbed her bag and walked out the door.