Page 49 of Burn Falls

“Good to know.”

“I know it’s not the best place, but do you want to grab coffee inside McDonald’s and then find out where the best places are to see Aurora?”

It was Calla’s turn to place her hand on me, but instead of my knee, it was my shoulder. “McDonald’s is my language, Draven. I don’t need to be wined and dined.”

I chuckled as I remembered Athan’s earlier words to me. “Then I’ll remember to feed you Big Macs in bed.” Calla’s breath hitched, and before she could utter any words to the fact that I’d basically let it slip that she was going to be in my bed one day, I went on, “Let’s go. We have lights to see, and you have a plane to catch.”

Calla ordered a vanilla latte, and I ordered a black coffee. I didn’t need the energy, but it was more for appearances. As the fast food worker placed the coffees in front of me, I asked where the best places to see the lights were.

“They can be seen at Creamer’s Field, Cleary Summit, Murphy Dome, or Chena Hot Springs Road.”

“Perfect. Thank you,” I said and took my coffee.

Calla and I got back into the car, and after I searched on my phone, I determined that the best chance to see the lights would probably be at the highest peak, which was Cleary Summit.

I followed the directions, and after driving the twenty or so miles, we got out of the car just as a green glow appeared in the distance against the dark black sky. “Do you see that?” I asked.

Calla looked up. “Yes. It’s starting.”

We moved to a clearing, and I wrapped my arm around her, pulling her against my body as we both looked up at the color changing sky. She fit perfectly in the crook of my arm, and we were silent as we took in the show. The ghostly glow swayed left and then right, like clouds moving in the sky, unsure which direction they wanted to go. It was magical, and before I knew it, Calla and I were looking into each other’s eyes.

My head descended until my lips met hers. I could feel her warm breath against my chilled lips, and when our tongues met, it was like they were trying to mimic the sky above. She tasted of coffee and vanilla and fear—my fear. Because I feared the monsters would one day take her away from me like they had taken Mary.

We broke apart, and after a few breathless seconds on her part, Calla spoke. “After five years, you haven’t gotten accustomed to the weather?”

“What?” I asked, tilting my head to the side slightly.

“Your lips. They’re cold.”

I cracked a grin. “Bad circulation or something.”

She chuckled without sounds. “But you’re a doctor.”

“And the cure isexercising.” I winked and pressed my room temperature lips to hers again for a quick kiss.

Calla’s smile widened. “Is that so?”

I shrugged. “Doctor’s orders.”

“Right. You write your own prescriptions I take it.” She laughed again and then asked, “Also, what did I tell you about wining and dining me?”

I smirked. “Is this wining and dining?”

“First kiss under the polar lights classifies.”

“In that case, is it working?”

She stared up into my dark eyes and breathed, “Yes.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Seattle

Saying goodbye to my family was tough, but I was excited knowing I was going back to Burn Falls in a few weeks because I was determined to make my father proud and keep OBB successful. I was also living my high from my date with Draven.

After the light show that lasted about twenty minutes, Draven and I headed back to Burn Falls. He kissed me goodnight on the front porch making me feel like a love-sick teenager. Once he left, I crawled into bed and slept for a few hours until it was time to head to the airport.

Valencia grilled me about my date the entire flight home, and then I questioned her about her evening with Athan. He’d shown up after I’d left, and they went to the bar for drinks. She said nothing happened, and that she’d probably never see him again since he lived in Russia. I had no doubt in my mind that once she got home, she was going to check her passport to make sure it hadn’t expired.