Page 20 of Fire

And here it comes. The dismissal followed by the rejection.

I nod, eager to get this over with as quickly as possible. “I totally understand. I’m just grateful for the consideration.”

David’s smile softens, like he can see through my façade to the self-doubt swirling inside. “We’ve gone beyond considering, Miss Cole. An anonymous donor heard about your situation and has come forward with a proposal. I’ll be honest, I’ve never seen anything quite like it.” I swear to goodness, his eyes actually twinkle, making him look all the more like Santa who traded his love of cookies for carrot sticks.

“An anonymous donor?” Excitement has me leaning forward. I look to Nell, who’s coloring away again, but her attention is firmly locked on the conversation happening around her.

David rests an ankle on his knee and clasps his hands over his stomach. “I want you to know you’re not obligated to take this offer, especially given the unusual circumstances. If anything about this makes you uncomfortable, anything at all, you can turn this down, and we’ll process your application as we usually would.”

“Unusual…?” I shake my head as if that will scatter what he’s saying into something that makes sense. “What kind of unusual circumstances?”

And what kind of donor?

And how did they hear about my situation?

And why did that inspire them to make a donation?

“My suggestion is that you listen to the offer, then take a day or two to consider.” David leans forward. “But between you and me? This really might work to your advantage.”

“I’m starting to feel really lost here.” I laugh lightly. “Can you please give me a few details?”

“Unfortunately, no. The gentlemen specifically requested he be the one to explain everything.”

I turn to Nell who looks enthused. And who can blame her? With phrases like ‘anonymous donors’ and ‘unusual circumstances’ flying around, it makes a person feel special. Like maybe kindness exists in this world after all and we aren’t destined to fail forward forever.

“Okay, then.” I fold my hands in my lap. “What next?”

“Why don’t I invite this gentleman in and let him clear up those details for you.”

David stands and pokes his head out the door, gesturing for someone down the hall. His smile is so warm, so real, I can’t help but feel like whatever’s about to happen will put Nell and me on a better path. David seems like a good man and if whoever’s coming down the hallway has his seal of approval, then surely, everything is going to work out fine.

It feels like maybe, for the first time in years, I haven’t made a chaotic decision after all.

Like my life is finally starting to look up.

Like maybe my luck has changed.

But then the door swings open, and in steps none other than Micah Hutton, grinning from ear to ear like he’s about to announce we won a trip to Bora Bora. He’s wearing a fitted suit, the jacket buttoned, showcasing broad shoulders and strong arms. The white shirt underneath has several buttons undone, offering a glimpse of a chest I know is glorious thanks to a certain calendar shoot I may have looked at more than once. His dark hair is swept back, perfectly tousled, reminding me of the day I had my hands in it at the grocery, the day he kissed me like nothing has changed between us.

My heart thunders.

Our eyes lock.

My gaze slides to Nell and his follows. She’s sitting up straight, eagerly awaiting the surprise and delighted to see this giant, handsome man walk through the door, looking like the alter ego of the superheroes she loves so much. With the two of them finally in the same room, it’s impossible to ignore how much she looks like him.

The eyes.

The smile.

The cheekbones.

The energy.

Micah’s face falls.

His lips part.

Nostrils flare.

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