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I want to tell him I’m okay, but I can’t even open my mouth to speak.

He returns with a bottle, cracks the seal, and hands it to me. “That’s it. Just keep taking small sips and breathe.”

I do as he says. My pulse begins to settle .

“Let’s take a look at you, Xander,” the doctor says, kneeling beside him. He checks his legs, arms, and neck.

“Dr. Gutierrez, I’m fine. I told Rain, but she wouldn’t hear it,” Xander says. I hear a faint chuckle, though I can’t see who it belongs to.

This isn’t funny. Not to me. I’m freaking out.

“Alright, let’s get you up from this mess,” the doctor says. Xander rises with help.

“Please look to the left. Now to the right. Can you move your head?” he shines a light in each of Xander’s eyes, gently touching his neck and his collarbone.

Once he’s done, he stands and takes off his gloves.

He walks over to me

“I’m fine, Dr. Gutierrez,” I say with a huff.

“I know you’re fine physically, but I need to make sure you’re calming down.”

“Calmed down? I almost caused an injury to a professional athlete,” I snap, pacing. “Do you know how big of a deal Mr. Hotshot is to the Carolina Red Wolves?”

Xander chuckles, then coughs to cover it. I shoot him a death glare.

“Apparently he’s the golden boy of the franchise,” I add, spinning on the doctor. “And everyone—and I mean everyone—is waiting anxiously for his return to the ice.”

Dr. Gutierrez doesn’t stop smiling .

“Rain, I truly appreciate your concern for my patient, but I can assure you he’s okay. It was just a little slip that won’t cause any delay in his recovery.”

Hearing that helps. Seeing Xander standing helps even more.

“Okay. Yeah. Okay.” I let out a breath and nod as the doc starts packing up his medical bag.

“Xander, just take a warm shower. And maybe let the expert handle the baking?” Dr. Gutierrez’s voice holds a teasing edge.

“I think she’s definitely better without my help in the kitchen,” Xander says, grinning.

“My accident on the ice proves I’m a clumsy professional athlete.”

The doctor chuckles. “Very well, I’ll see you around.”

He disappears down the hall.

Xander makes a slow spin. “What’s that smell?”

My eyes widen. “Fuck—the crusts.”

I rush toward the oven, but stop short at the butter-soaked floor. I move very slowly, open the drawer, and pull out gloves before cracking open the oven door.

Completely charred. Unsalvageable.

I quickly take them out and set them on the stove, heart sinking.

“Hey, come here,” Xander says, arms open.

I toss the gloves on the counter and walk straight into him. His arms wrap around me, grounding me instantly.

“It’s okay, Cherry. I’m okay,” he whispers, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.

I hug him harder, his warmth calming the leftover tremors in my body.

“I was so fucking worried,” I admit. “I couldn’t forgive myself if something had happened to you.”

He doesn’t say anything—just hugs me tighter and rests his forehead against mine.

“Did this bring up a bad memory?” he asks gently.

My eyes water, and I nod.

“Yeah. First, when Daddy passed, and then when Ruin was in a car accident. I couldn’t do anything to help Daddy. When Ruin woke up, and we realized she had lost four years of her memories, at least I got to help her. But with you…” I step back and wipe my face. “I thought I’d made things worse.”

I cover my face, overwhelmed, but he gently moves my hands away and kisses them—once, then twice. My knees nearly buckle.

“I want to joke about how butter nearly ended my career,” he says, “but I won’t. Because right now, you’re showing me how much you care, and I love that. Something tells me you don’t show your emotions often.”

I frown. He smiles.

“Rain MacAllister. Ball-buster extraordinaire,” he teases, brushing my cheek. “Trust me enough to let me see the real Rain.”

I place my hands on his waist and tilt my head back, letting him see the emotion in my face—tears that haven’t fallen, lips still trembling. I hope he sees what he means to me.

Xander cradles my face and leans in, whispering against my lips:

“Same, Cherry. I care about you so fucking much.”

I gasp softly, then he kisses me.

This kiss is different. It’s not just heat this time. It feels like we’re pouring our souls into this kiss, and I’ve never felt more cared for in my life.

When we part, I feel light. Free.

Is this how it feels to be in love?

I thought I was in love before. But this? This is something else.

“Join me in the shower?” Xander asks, eyes smouldering.

I shake my head, smiling.

“As much as I want to, we need to get these pies done.”

He pouts.

“Granny would never let us live it down,” I add.

He sighs, pulling back.

“Okay, so what are you going to do while I shower?”

“Well, once we’re done picking up this mess, I need to go to the diner and get more ingredients. We can’t use those burnt crusts.”

He passes me a roll of paper towels, and he starts spraying the floor.

“Sounds like a plan. ”

We clean up quickly. I toss the crusts in the trash.

“So I guess this is how you can be of service in the kitchen, huh?” I say, amused.

He gives me a puzzled look.

“I cook, and you clean.”

“Sounds like a great deal to me,” he says, lifting me by the waist and stealing another kiss.

“Okay, Hotshot. As much as I enjoy kissing you, we have work to do.”

He lets me down, grinning.

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll make sure to be clean and ready when you come back. There’s some cherry pie waiting to be devoured.”

His voice dips with a double meaning. I wink at him in return.

I give him a peck at the door and head to my van, my step lighter than it’s been in ages.

Now I understand why Gio fought so hard for my sister to remember him.

If he feels even a fraction of what I feel for Xander, I would’ve done the same. I’d burn the world for the love of my life too.

As I drive to the diner, I blast “Cherry Pie” by Warrant and sing every lyric loud and proud.

It’s official.

We have a song.