Page 20 of Heartless

Forty minutes later, the bright red and white lights of the firetrucks pierced through the windshield and glared over the interior of my car.Staring at the two fire trucks stopped in front of the gutted, dark rubbles, I inhaled a trembling breath and wiped off my tears.

It was gone.The little world we’d created.Our old sofa, where I used to read my stories to her.The kitchen floor where we’d lied down on our backs and searched for answers when life had been tough.It was all gone.

I rubbed my fingertips on the tip of my nose, but the acrid smell of smoke had invaded my nostrils.Then, I went home where I wrapped Mom’s old cardigan around me and cried.

Eventually, I picked myself up and dove into the overly complicated insurance report.The rest of the day passed in a blur, and it was almost dinner time when I finally showered off the smoke smell of my skin.

After filling up my old-fashioned kettle, I turned on the stove and ambled to the kitchen island where Mom’s old photo albums laid in two neat piles.My throat burned.At least I had them.Then I gently transferred them from the cardboard box to the pretty wood vintage trunk I’d bought especially for them.

When my cell rattled against the hard stone top.I leaped to it, expecting Gabby’s call back, but the screen said, ‘Jake.’

“Hi, Jake.”

“How are you, pretty stranger?”

Awful.Heartbroken.“I’m...fine.How are you?”

“You don’t sound fine.”

I cleared my throat.“Um...Can I...um...can I call you tomorrow?”

“You can call me anytime.”His voice deepened.“What’s wrong, sweetheart?”

I pressed my cell against my ear and took a shuddering breath.“My house...my house burnt down last night, and—”

“Are you hurt?”

“No...No, I meant my mom’s house.”

“Fuck.Is your mother okay?”

Sucking in a breath, I shook my head.“My...my mom died ten weeks ago.”

His rumbling voice softened.“Where are you?Are you alone?”

“Y-yes.I’m home, but I’m okay.You asked and—”

“What’s your address, sweetheart?”

After I’d given it to him he said, “I’ll be there in half an hour.”

While I stared at the cell screen, the loud whistle of the kettle screamed at me to get moving.Oh my God.Jake was coming over.Jake was coming over.Tea forgotten, I raced to my bathroom.After applying a little mascara and some lip gloss, I sniffed my armpits and swished some mouthwash before spitting it out.

When the doorbell’s chime rendered the air, my heart jumped in my throat.Barely refraining from running to greet him, I took a deep breath and unlocked the door.

Curling my fingers around the door handle, I held my breath.His thick, overlong hair looked even more touchable.The black t-shirt, well-worn jeans, and black boots should have made him look more laid-back, but if anything, it made him more imposing.

Dear God.Had he been that tall and broad-shouldered last night?

Jake’s mouth twitched.“Same as last night.”

A volcano of embarrassment erupted on my face.Shoot.I had to stop doing this.I sounded like an idiot.

This time Jake laughed.Damn it.I’d done it again.

Still smiling, he said, “Can I come in?”

“Of...of course.”