Page 5 of Blazing Hearts

They stood there for a moment longer, neither quite ready to break the spell. Then Kara gave a small, almost reluctant smile and opened the door.

“See you around, Mallory,” she said, her voice light but carrying an undercurrent of something deeper. Her deep brown eyes gave one last lingering look at Mallory and Mallory almost felt herself swooning.

“See you,” Mallory replied, her tone matching Kara’s.

As the door clicked shut, Mallory stood still for a moment, the quiet of the apartment suddenly feeling heavier. She walked back to the kitchen and picked up her coffee, taking a long sip as she leaned against the counter.

Her thoughts drifted to the napkin she’d tucked away, the number etched into her mind as clearly as if she’d memorized it. There was a thrill buzzing under her skin, something unexpected and intoxicating.

For the first time in weeks, Mallory didn’t feel the weight of her move or the pressure to get everything perfect. Instead, she felt a small, steady flame of possibility—a spark she hadn’t realized she was missing.

She glanced at the clock, realizing the day was only just beginning. The city outside was waking up, the sunlight growing brighter and more insistent. Mallory smiled to herself, her fingers brushing against the pocket where Kara’s number rested.

2

KARA

The door clicked shut behind Kara Brandon as she stepped into her apartment, the quiet wrapping around her like a warm blanket. She dropped her keys onto the small table by the door, kicked off her boots, and glanced at the clock on the wall. The morning was still young; the sunlight just starting to creep through the blinds. Her body ached with the familiar heaviness of too little sleep, but the smile tugging at the corners of her mouth told a different story.

She rubbed her eyes and debated starting her day but quickly dismissed the thought. She wasn’t on shift until tomorrow, and the pull of her bed was too strong to ignore. Shrugging off her jacket, Kara made her way down the narrow hallway, her socked feet padding softly against the hardwood floor.

Her bedroom was as unpretentious as the rest of her apartment—just a bed, a dresser, and a nightstand cluttered with books and a half-empty glass of water. The covers were still tangled from when she’d hastily left the day before, and Kara slipped back into the sheets with a contented sigh.

The warmth of the bed coaxed her into stillness, but her mind refused to quiet. She stared at the ceiling, the faint lines of sunlight stretching across the textured surface, and let the memories of last night unfold in her mind.

One-night stands weren’t supposed to feel like this. They were supposed to be simple, fleeting, and uncomplicated. Fun for the night and forgotten by morning. But this enigmatic stranger Mallory… Mallory felt different. She had a spark—something that stuck with Kara in a way she hadn’t expected.

The thought brought an ache of its own, one Kara wasn’t sure how to name.

She turned onto her side, pressing her cheek into the pillow as she considered reaching for her phone. Texting Mallory crossed her mind more than once, but Kara hesitated. Was it too soon? Too much? She wasn’t usually one to overthink these things, but this wasn’t usual.

Eventually, sleep tugged her back under, her last thought a quiet echo of Mallory’s laugh.

Kara woke hours later, blinking against the afternoon light that streamed through the blinds. She groaned softly, running a hand through her messy brown hair as she rolled out of bed. The air was crisp and cool, the faint scent of the eucalyptus spray she kept on her nightstand lingering in the room.

She stretched, her joints cracking as she stood, and wandered into the kitchen, her bare feet finding the cold floor. The apartment was quiet, save for the occasional hum of the refrigerator or the distant sounds of the city outside.

Kara’s apartment wasn’t much, but it was hers. Practical and cozy, it reflected her personality without much effort. A cork board hung on the wall above the small dining table, cluttered with Polaroid photos, handwritten notes, and a few postcards from friends who traveled more than she did. The shelves were lined with books she swore she’d finish one day and a few nick-knacks that held sentimental value.

The kitchen itself was tidy but lived-in. Takeout menus were tucked neatly into a drawer, and a well-worn coffee maker sat in the corner of the counter. Kara filled the machine with water and coffee grounds, her movements automatic as the scent of brewing coffee began to fill the space.

She leaned against the counter, her phone in hand. She unlocked the screen, her thumb hovering over the messaging app.

Just text her.

The thought was simple, but Kara hesitated. Her usual confidence faltered slightly, and she shook her head with a wry smile. “Get it together,” she muttered under her breath.

Before she could decide, a notification popped up at the top of the screen. It was from Scotti Saunders, one of her closest friends and a frequent instigator of chaos.

So, what happened last night? Left us in the dust, huh?

Kara laughed softly, already hearing Scotti’s teasing tone in her head. Her fingers moved quickly as she typed out a reply.

KARA: Nothing you need to worry about.

SCOTTI: Oh, please. You disappeared with some mystery woman. Spill.

KARA: Maybe I just got tired. Ever think of that?

---