Page 63 of Burn Falls

“That’s awesome he’s able to come and visit so often.”

“It is, and I hope you’ll come visit too.”

“I’ll try. I’ve never had to run a business before, so I think the first six or so months will be tough.”

“You know, he’s never mentioned a girlfriend before, let alone let us meet one.”

“Really?” I asked, looking back into Marcy’s bright-blue eyes.

“I know it’s new and all, but I think Draven really likes you.”

It was new in the sense that we had just started dating, but it felt like forever ago when we were at the bar across from the hospital. “I really like him too,” I admitted, and looked out at Draven as he and Martin laughed about something I couldn’t hear.

I liked the way my insides fluttered when he put his hand on my knee and told me that he hadn’t been able to stop looking at me since he’d first laid eyes on me. And I liked when he told me that he thought I’d taste like heaven, or when he told me that if I weren’t drunk, he’d bend me over the barstool and fuck me—hard. He really meant it because he does fuckhard. I liked it when he carried me inside my house, tucked me in bed and then kissed my forehead, and when he made sure to touch me and give me comfort when we decided to take my father off of life support even though we were in the middle of the hospital and people could see.

I could go on and on about everything Draven had done and how he’d made me feel in the short amount of time we’d known each other. He’d done a lot to show me how he cares about me. Like when he made sure I got home safe from Maxwell’s, tried to comfort me when my father passed away and how he wanted to make sure I was safe on my drive back to Burn Falls. Then, of course, how we drove hours to have our first kiss under the Northern Lights.

After we ate dinner, the girls started another movie leaving the adults to sit around the dining room table to get to know each other better.

“How did you three meet anyway?” I asked.

“Draven saved my life.” My heart swelled thinking of Draven in surgery and saving lives, but then Martin quickly added, “I was a rook and—”

Draven cut in. “And he almost got his ass handed to him making a traffic stop. I was walking home from the hospital and saw the altercation. Before I knew it, I was joining in and distracting the guys so Marty could get the situation under control.”

My eyes widened in shock. “You got in a fight to save his life?”

“Something like that,” he murmured.

Then I started to remember my research on how old a person had to be to be a doctor, and I wondered how old you had to be to make Lieutenant for the police department. “Was that when you were in medical school?”

Draven rubbed the back of his neck as though he was nervous. “No, I was working at Hope Haven as a resident.”

“Oh, right. You said you were walking home from the hospital.” I took a sip of my wine. “How old are you anyway?”

Marcy started to choke on her wine, and Draven sprang into action, racing to pat her on the back. “Are you okay, Marse?” he asked.

“Went down the wrong pipe,” she wheezed.

“Let me get you some water.” Martin stood and went to the kitchen.

After her coughing fit was over and she could breathe again, my phone chirped with a text. Valencia

Come to Extra Point for drinks.

I’m having dinner at Martin’s with Draven.

Bring them! Seahawks are on, and Athan and I are playing darts.

I have work tomorrow.

I know, but this is our last week together for God knows how long. Please come!

“Everything okay?” Draven asked, squeezing my knee after returning to his seat.

“Valencia wants us to go to Extra Play to play darts and watch football.”

“You want to go?” he asked.