Page 1 of Blazing Hearts

1

MALLORY

Dr. Mallory Storm stepped into the bar, pausing just inside the door as her eyes adjusted to the dim lighting. The place was stylish and buzzing with quiet energy—a perfect mix of polished décor and relaxed ambiance. She hesitated, tugging lightly at the hem of her blazer. It wasn’t that she looked out of place, but she felt it; a newcomer standing on unfamiliar ground.

Sliding onto a stool at the bar, she offered the bartender a polite smile. “What do you recommend?”

He tilted his head thoughtfully before suggesting a citrus-forward cocktail, something light and refreshing. She nodded, more interested in the act of having a drink than the drink itself. The glass arrived, and she took a tentative sip. It was good—sharp, tart, and a little sweet.

Mallory exhaled and let herself sink into the moment. Moving to Phoenix Ridge had been a whirlwind—new job, new apartment, new city. Tonight was supposed to be about unwinding, shaking off the tension that had coiled tight in her shoulders since the move. Instead, she found herself wondering if she should have just stayed home to unpack the last few lingering boxes.

Movement across the bar caught her eye as the door swung open and a group of four women entered, talking and joking with each other. They grabbed a table not far from where she was sitting, continuing their conversation as they ordered their drinks. One had an impressive shock of curly blond hair, waving her hands around animatedly as she regaled the group. But the one her eyes kept wandering back to was grinning as she watched her friend speak; her messy dark hair kept falling forward into her eyes—and was that a dimple? She couldn’t keep her eyes off her.

Wait … She was getting up; had she noticed Mallory staring? Damn. She was coming this way.

She approached Mallory with the easy confidence of someone who thrived on the unpredictable. Stopping just shy of her, the tall brunette leaned casually against the bar, her lips curling into a playful smirk. “Sitting here looking mysterious—is that your usual Friday night routine?”

Mallory glanced up, startled by her assertive approach. She blinked at her, momentarily unsure how to respond. Then a smile tugged at the corner of her lips, small but genuine.

“Only when I’m new in town,” she replied, her voice steady despite the slight blush creeping into her cheeks.

“Well, welcome,” she said, pulling out the stool beside her without hesitation. “Phoenix Ridge just got lucky, I’d say.”

Mallory huffed a soft laugh, her fingers brushing the edge of her glass. “Does this line usually work for you?”

She pretended to think, leaning back slightly and running a hand through her short dark hair. “Not really,” she admitted with a grin, “but I figured you’d appreciate the honesty.”

That earned her a chuckle, low and warm, and the tension in Mallory’s posture began to ease.

“I’m Mallory. I just transferred to the hospital here.”

“Very nice to meet you, Mallory. I’m Kara. I’m sure your new patients will be thrilled. Can I buy you another drink?”

“That would be lovely, Kara. Thank you.”

As the minutes ticked by, their conversation unfolded effortlessly, like the pieces of a puzzle sliding into place. Kara coaxed Mallory into laughter with stories about Phoenix Ridge’s quirks—the best hidden coffee shop, the strangest town traditions. In return, Mallory shared snippets of her own adjustment to the city, skirting around the specifics of her work but revealing just enough to keep Kara intrigued.

“You’ve got this vibe,” Kara said at one point, leaning her elbow on the bar and tilting her head.

“Vibe?” Mallory arched an eyebrow, amused.

“Yeah. Like you’ve got everything together, but you don’t want anyone to know it,” Kara teased. “It’s kind of fascinating.”

Mallory rolled her eyes, but the blush returned, faint but unmistakable. “And you’ve got this vibe where you can charm anyone into telling you their life story.”

Kara laughed, the sound bright and genuine. “Not anyone. Just the mysterious types.”

A fresh round of drinks appeared, and the conversation deepened. They swapped stories of first impressions, favorite books, and the challenge of starting over. Mallory found herself relaxing more than she had in weeks, drawn to Kara’s warmth and quick wit.

The crowd around them began to thin, but neither seemed to notice. Kara leaned closer, her voice dropping to a lower, more intimate tone. “You’ve got this wall up,” she said, studying Mallory with a mix of curiosity and admiration. “But I think you’re a little braver than you let on.”

Mallory’s breath caught, and for a moment, she wasn’t sure how to respond. Kara’s gaze was steady but soft, her confidence tempered by genuine interest. Mallory felt a flicker of something unexpected—a pull she hadn’t planned for.

“I think you’re a little nosier than you let on,” Mallory countered, her lips curving into a grin.

Kara laughed, leaning back with a shrug. “Guilty as charged.”

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the buzz of the bar fading into the background. Then Kara tilted her head toward the door. “Come on. Let’s get some air.”

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