FIRE | H.S.

Chapter 16

I turn off the lights and exit the spa, locking the door, making sure it's secure. Usually, Aurora closes but she had to leave early today and since Harry picked up Leilani from school I didn't have much to do at home. I didn't want to be alone with my thoughts all day. At least being here kept me occupied with clients and paperwork.

I get in my car and drive home. The music from my phone plays softly through the car's speakers and I sing along quietly. It's raining tonight so I take a different route to my house, one that will add about thirty minutes to my usual fifteen-minute drive. I love rainy days and nights, especially because we don't get much rain here.

When I arrive to my house, the rain has stopped and has left behind the sweet smell of wet dirt and a chill to the night air. I get out of my car and walk up the path to my front door. Harry walks out of his house and walks toward his mailbox, distractedly typing on his phone.

"Hey, Harry," I say and his head turns in my direction. A smile breaks through his lips, his dimples making an appearance.

"Ava! I'm sorry, I didn't see you. How was work?" he walks over to me and hugs me. I wrap my arms around his torso and inhale his scent. My head rests on his chest, and even though the hug doesn't last for long, it still feels like time slowed down. I can hear the beating of his heart and feel his chest rise and fall slightly with his breathing.

"Work was good," I say, stepping back from him. "We were quite busy today."

"That's great," he smiles. "Hey, our station is having a picnic tomorrow at around five. I was wondering if you'd like to go? Since you'll be picking up Leilani I thought you guys could come by. There'll be inflatables, burgers, and we'll play volleyball and football. It should be fun. You can invite your friends and your boyfriend if you'd like."

"Sounds fun, we'll be there," I smile. A drop of water falls on my forehead, then another one on the tip of my nose. I look up at the sky and the drops start falling faster.

"Well, I guess we should get inside," Harry says. "I'll see you tomorrow, then?"

"See you tomorrow," I smile at him. We start walking toward our houses when I say, "weren't you about to get your mail?"

"Oh, right!" He jogs to the mailbox, grabs the mail, then jogs back. "Have a good night, Ava."

"You too, Harry. Give Leilani a hug for me." With that, I go inside my house and get ready for bed. I send Evan a text asking him if he's down to go to the picnic tomorrow before I go to sleep.

***

Leilani and I walk down to the park that is only a couple of blocks away from our houses. She holds my hand tightly and asks me to skip along with her, which I do. "Are you excited about the picnic?" I ask her.

"Yes! Daddy said his friends would bring their kids and that there will be burgers and hot dogs and juice and games and maybe dogs!" she squeals excitedly. When we get to the park we see two fire trucks and a group of people. Leilani spots Harry near a large grill and runs to him. "Daddyyyyyyy!"

Harry turns and smiles brightly, picking her up and twirling her around. "Hey, Monkey! How are you?" he kisses her cheek over and over again, making Leilani laugh. I stand a couple of feet away from them and smile. "Hey, Ava."

"Hey, Harry."

"I'm glad you could make it," he sets Leilani down and comes over to give me a quick hug.

"I wouldn't miss it." He smiles and tells Leilani to go play with the other kids.

"Would you like to meet some of the guys I work with?" He asks.