Page 71 of Passions Ignite

Becky handed them each a small, metal plaque. “Zoey Knight and Lux Valentine, for your bravery, dedication, and unwavering commitment to saving lives, we honor you tonight. You are a testament to the strength and resilience of this team, and we are proud to have you with us.”

Zoey felt a lump rise in her throat as she accepted the plaque. She glanced at Lux, who looked at her with a mixture of pride and something deeper, unspoken but understood.

They stepped off the stage, the applause still ringing in their ears, and Zoey found herself gravitating toward Lux. There wasso much she wanted to say, so much she needed to express, but the words seemed to elude her.

Lux seemed to sense Zoey’s thoughts, and she reached out, taking Zoey’s hand in hers.

Zoey felt a deep sense of contentment as they walked through the crowd to return to their seats for the rest of the event. They had made it through the fire, fear, and uncertainty, and they came out stronger on the other side. And as long as she had Lux by her side, Zoey knew they could face whatever came next.

After the ceremony, everyone lingered to talk. Zoey glanced at Lux, standing a few feet away, conversing with some of their colleagues. The warmth of the event still lingered in the air, and the memory of receiving their awards felt surreal. But something else on Zoey’s mind had been brewing since they had made it back from the mountain.

The moment felt right. She’d been holding back, unsure of how Lux might react, but Zoey knew she had to leap. She approached Lux, her heart beating a little faster with each step.

“Lux,” Zoey said.

Lux turned. “Hey, what’s up?”

Zoey hesitated for a second. “I was thinking…now that everything’s calmed down a bit, maybe we could, you know, go out sometime? Like, on a proper date.”

Lux’s eyes widened slightly, a hint of surprise flickering across her face, but then she smiled. “I’d like that.”

Zoey exhaled the breath she’d been holding. “Great. How about tonight?”

“Tonight sounds perfect.”

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Later that evening, Zoey stood outside a fancy restaurant, butterflies fluttering in her stomach. She’d chosen the place carefully, wanting everything to be just right for their first official date. The soft glow of the lights from the restaurant’s windows cast a warm hue over the entrance, and the quiet hum of conversation floated through the air.

Zoey adjusted the collar of her jacket, glancing down the street for any sign of Lux. She didn’t have to wait long. Lux soon appeared, walking toward her with that same confident stride Zoey had come to admire. She looked stunning, her outfit simple yet elegant, and the sight of her made Zoey’s breath catch in her throat.

“Hey,” Zoey greeted.

“Hey yourself,” Lux replied. “You look great.”

“So do you,” Zoey said, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. “Ready to head in?”

Lux nodded. The interior was cozy and intimate, with dim lighting and plush seating offering privacy. A waiter led them to a table near the back, away from the bustle of the main dining area.

As they sat down, Zoey glanced at Lux, taking in the way the candlelight danced across her features. Zoey couldn’t take her eyes off Lux as they settled into their seats. The soft glow of the candlelight made Lux’s features even more striking, and Zoey felt that familiar flutter in her chest.

“It’s strange, isn’t it?” Lux said, her voice low and intimate. “How much I missed you even though we were only apart for a few days.”

Zoey smiled. “I know what you mean. I kept thinking about you the whole time. Even in the hospital, all I could think about was when I’d see you again.”

Lux’s gaze softened as she reached across the table, her fingers brushing lightly against Zoey’s hand. “It’s like we went through all that just to end up here, in this moment.”

Zoey’s breath hitched at the touch, and she turned her hand over, lacing her fingers with Lux’s. The connection between them felt electric, charged with the tension of everything they’d been through and the feelings they were finally allowing themselves to explore.

“You have no idea how much I missed you,” Zoey whispered.

Lux’s thumb traced small circles on the back of Zoey’s hand. “I think I have some idea,” she said, her tone playful.

Zoey’s pulse quickened as she leaned in closer, the space between them shrinking. The restaurant around them seemed to fade away, leaving the two in a bubble of shared emotion and anticipation.

“I couldn’t stop thinking about you,” Zoey admitted, her eyes locked on Lux’s lips.

Lux’s smile was slow and warm. “I couldn’t stop thinking about you either,” she said softly. “And now that we’re here, I don’t want to think about anything else.”

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