Page 36 of Consumed By Fire

"You want to hire me?” she asks, surprised.

"I’d love to, yes. As long as you want it."

"Of course, yes. I love working with you. Thanks, Charlie,” she says, making me relax. For a moment, I thought she didn't want to be here. Blaire hugs me, thanking me before leaving.

I go to the kitchen and start making dinner. I see a message from Dylan and I read it, smiling.

"Don't tell me, let me guess...” Dad says, making me jump. "Dylan?"

I shake my head, laughing. It's weird to have him around, yet he looks so relaxed and different. I don't know if Annais changed him, but she sure helped.

We have dinner together, talking about the latest Boston gossip and also about what I have done in recent years away from home. We had a really nice evening.

It gets late and Dad retires to his room with Annais. After I check that everything is ready for the guests who will arrive tomorrow, I go to my room, too.

Once in bed, however, I can’t sleep. Maybe it's because I miss Dylan or because I'm nervous about meeting his parents tomorrow.

20

DYLAN

It's been a long day. I'm finishing the report, and I can finally stop for lunch. I miss Charlie. Seeing her last night made me smile. I know she doesn't usually take this route to get home, and I know she did so just to see me.

I leave the office and go into the kitchen. Some of the guys are already eating and I hear them talking about Valentine's Day. I would have preferred that Dad had finished what I asked him earlier, but unfortunately, he said that his package will arrive in a few days. The couriers are busy and there will be a delay in delivery. I’ll have to opt for the classic flowers and chocolates, but I also have something more special in mind.

We receive calls without stop. The day seems endless but being back to work makes me feel alive.

There are fifteen minutes left in my shift when I organize the shifts for the next three days.

I go down to the break room, while the guys on the next shift start preparing.

The station phone rings and Aide goes to answer, activating the alarm.

"DC, accident on the highway at mile eighty."

"On my way! Guys, get ready! Out in one minute," I order as I run to the car and leave.

"Hi, I'm DC. We're coming straight to you. What happened?"

"Dylan, thank God. Two cars collided and I don't know what to do." I recognize her voice and the adrenaline makes me accelerate more.

"Charlie! Are you hurt?"

"No, I wasn't involved in the accident,” she says. I relax even though I don't like hearing about an accident site.

"Okay. Are the passengers okay?"

"No. In one car there are three passengers, two adults and a child. In the other, the driver has already gotten out of the car."

"Send in a couple of ambulances, mile eighty Armstrong entrance, unit thirteen is almost there," I report as I hear Charlie calling the passengers in the car.

Damn cars, get the fuck off! People don’t seem to know how to drive anymore and they’re slowing me down.

21

CHARLOTTE

"Sir, can you hear me?" I knock on the glass but no one answers. I hear the baby's cries and my heart tightens.