Page 72 of Burning Embers

I’m not running away screaming in terror, so…no.

Emery

*sad face* Don’t be like that, doll.

Emery

I really loved meeting you today.

Izzy

It was nice meeting you too.

Emery

I think you’ll like this town. Hale and Gerry are two of the best guys I know. And of course, there’s me…

Izzy

I actually haven’t met Gerry yet.

Emery

Yeah. He’s been away for work. But he should be back soon.

Izzy

How do you know that?

Emery

A magician never reveals his secrets.

He then proceeds to send me a plethora of magician GIFs, each one more ridiculous than the last. I snort and roll my eyes, even as heat bursts to life in my stomach.

“Talking to one of your boy toys?” Jake asks teasingly, flopping down onto the couch beside me.

“Oh my gosh. Are you ever going to let me live that down?”

He pretends to think about it, tapping his finger against his chin in contemplation. “Hmmm. Probably not.”

“You’re the worst.” I toss the nearest throw pillow at his head, but he stealthily ducks out of the way.

In retaliation, he grabs a different pillow and whacks me across the head with it. Hard.

“Jake!” I screech.

He snickers like a damn toddler. “Your hair’s all messed up. You should maybe fix that.”

He points towards my blonde curls, as if I didn’t notice they’re now a frizzy mess thanks to the pillow.

“Oh, should I?” Instead of reaching for the pillow—he’ll expect that—I begin to rub his blond hair with my knuckles, causing the strands to stick up in every direction as if he stuck his finger into an electrical socket.

“TRUCE! TRUCE! Don’t mess up my hair!” he all but whines, flopping backwards dramatically so he’s out of reach. “I have a shift tonight.”

“You have a job?” I ask incredulously.

I have no idea why I’m surprised. I suppose I just don’t know how he finds the time between school, football practice, and homework.