Page 23 of Provoke You

“What happened?” I knew there’d been an explosion in the pastry room, but I was sure I was missing a big chunk of time from when the oven went off to now. “Did I pass out?”

“Yeah, you hit your head. Smells like a gas leak of sorts. Why were you trying to go back in there?” He squeezed me tighter.

Within seconds, fresh air blasted into my lungs and made my brain less foggy. “I don’t know. To stop it?” I found my footing when we reached the courtyard. By then, the place was crowded with firemen and first responders.

“She may have a concussion.” Matt handed me off to a woman in uniform. She nodded and ushered me to the ambulance cot.

“I’m fine. Just need some air.” I pushed her away, but she gripped my arms and made me sit down.

“I can get you air.” She checked my pupils while another set of hands covered my mouth with an oxygen mask. I closed my eyes and let the oxygen soothe the burn in the back of my throat and lungs.

“You’re lucky to be out of there with just a few bruises. Your boyfriend saved your life.” She gave a quick nod toward the side entrance of the hotel.

“He’s not my boyfriend.” The mask muffled my words, but her smile told me she understood me anyway. After a quick pat on my back, she rushed to meet Matt halfway down the courtyard. He’d stripped down to his undershirt and had Cece in his arms. I yanked off the oxygen mask and ran to meet them too. “Cece.”

“She’s fine.” Matt let the first responder take over before he turned to me. “She’s fine. I found her in the hallway, looking for you.”

How was he so composed? I shoved a trembling hand into my hair. I gasped for air, but the rasp in my throat made it difficult to breathe. I walked back to the ambulance and sat next to Cece.

“I’ve been working in this kitchen since the bayou was a ditch. I know my equipment, and I know my people. The oven was serviced just this morning. Why would it just catch fire like that and then explode?”

I wrapped my arm around her. “We’ll get our kitchen back. This is nothing that can’t be fixed.”

“I think it’s time you listen to your dad and leave the Quarter.”

“Yes, I think that’s a good idea.” Matt joined us. Now that the commotion was dying down, the worry on his face showed a bit more. “Your cottage has been cleared. The fire has been contained, but they still have to bring in forensics. Let’s leave them to it.” He placed a hand under my elbow and picked me off the cot as if I weighed nothing.

“Wait. Cece, let us take you home.” I reached for her hand.

“Go lie down. I’ll get a driver as soon as they’re done with me here.”

The woman who’d helped me earlier smiled. “She’ll be fine.”

I did as Matt said and let the crew do their thing. The less people blocking their way, the better. Matt regarded me the entire way back to the cottage, acting like a bodyguard again, ready to catch me if I fell. He had his dress shirt and suit jacket back on. After tonight, I was sure his gut was spot on.

“We still have time if you want to watch TV or something.” He opened the door and ushered me in.

“I want to.” I rubbed the throbbing spot on the back of my head.

He wanted to keep me awake. This wasn’t the time to be difficult.

“How about The Walking Dead?” I padded my way down to the living area where a flat screen hung on the opposite wall. I curled up on the couch and stared at my bare feet. The soot smeared on my skin made me realize what almost happened.

“Hey.” Matt sat next to me. The tears spilled down my cheeks, and he held me tight. “The girl who lives in the city of ghosts likes The Walking Dead?” he teased.

“Don’t act like you didn’t know that.” I wiped a finger under my eye, and it came back black. Between the mother of all hangovers from this morning and the incident from tonight, I kept showing Matt the worst side of me. “I need a shower.”

“That’s a good idea.” He cleared his throat. “Let me know if you need help.”

“I got it.” I would love his help, but given the circumstances, I needed some time alone. He nodded as he made himself comfortable on the couch.

In the shower, I let the tears and the cool water wash away the soot and smell of burnt rubber. I shampooed my hair twice and scrubbed my face three times. My hands shook as I rinsed the soap off me. The vanilla scent calmed my nerves and gave way to the tiny voice inside my head.

What happened? Was that explosion meant for me? This wasn’t the first time a fire got started in my kitchen. Last time, I hadn’t been able to explain it, but tonight Matt was there. He saw I didn’t do anything to mess with the gas line.

I ran my fingers through my wet hair and shut off the water. I donned my bathrobe and didn’t bother with clothes or makeup. Matt had already seen me at my worst. At least now, I smelled decent.

“What’s with all the papers?” I sat next to him and scrolled through the menu of TV shows on demand.

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