Page 95 of Third Time Lucky

‘I don’t see a single demon,’ I say, inspecting the photo.

‘Fire works,’ she says, impressed as she stares at the fire.

Just for fun, I tap into Ash and my text thread and attach the photo.

Lucy

Lucy-1 Brandon-0 turns out fire trumps demons.

Asher

Maybe flames escorted them back to hell. LOL. Congratulations. I just set that as your contact photo. Never have I ever been more attracted to you than I am right now.

Is that so? I can’t say I hate the sound of that. But there’s one more thing I need to do.

God, Ariana Grande says you’re a woman, and if that’s true, you know exactly what I’m thinking right now. Please – let this work. Maybe let him be the one, too. Asher, to be clear – if you need his demographics and social I could probably get it. I really like him. Like giddy like. He’s just… everything I ever hoped for, and at this point, if we don’t work out, that’s gonna hurt real bad. That’s a lot to ask for, I know, especially for a girl who’s prayed about a dozen times in my life. Sorry for that. Amen. Namaste. The End.

I do a quick Hail Mary, just in case – of what I’m unsure.

I stare at the starry sky above, glad I didn’t just say any of that out loud. I feel like a new chapter is unfolding – one where Asher is present in a way teenage me could never have imagined. I just need to do one more thing. I type out the text on my phone, hesitating before I hit send – maybe he’s not ready for this part?

Nope. Stop questioning your heart, Luce. Take the leap.

Lucy

Meet me in an hour at Tom McCall Park, near the fountain. Bring Kris.

29

LUCY

My heart is racing like wild horses, my fingers trembling as I clutch my taser in one hand and the delicate vial of ashes in the other within my front hoodie pocket.

It’s warm out, yet I’m freezing, thanks to anxiety. I’m seeing every shadow and hearing all the sounds the bustling city usually masks. Coming down here alone in the middle of the night wasn’t a brilliant idea, but I wasn’t exactly thinking when I suggested it – it was a follow-my-heart moment, and all I knew was I needed to do this with him.

But my frightening wait is nearly over as I see Ash drive by, toward the parking garage around the corner, so I know I’ll be less alone in mere minutes.

After Kris died, his mom gave both Asher and me a small vial-type urn with part of Kris inside. For twelve years, I’ve kept it in my nightstand drawer, tucked away in the back, out of sight. Even when I’ve moved house, he’s always near me – like a comfort blanket. I knew he’d always love me because he never got a chance not to. At his funeral, she asked both Ash and me that when the timing felt right, we spread his ashes in the river downtown so he could be a part of the city he so loved. Never in a million years did I expect to be doing this partwithAsher.

I glimpse him rounding the corner as he jogs toward me, glancing both ways in the dimly lit street before crossing. Worry, and a hint of relief fill his face as he slows.

‘You are insane,’ he says, slowing to a stop once on the sidewalk. ‘Out here all alone, in the middle of the night? People get murdered down here. You could’ve waited in your car, and I’d have found you.’

All I can do is smile as he worries about me while seeing that I’m perfectly fine and he’s here now. My anxiety doesn’t settle, but somehow, my heart slows with his presence. Unexpectedly, he envelops my small frame in a protective embrace, his tall form providing a shield from the dancing shadows. I sink into him, so glad he’s here.

‘Are you OK? Got the fire out?’

I step away, nodding. ‘Yeah, the lawn guy took care of it. I’m sure Mitzi slipped him a tip to keep it quiet, considering her name.’

‘Did it cleanse you of boys gone wrong?’

With a laugh, I nod. I sound insane. I don’tnotsee it. But he’s not running away from it either.

‘It was like being in a burning cathedral with the flames licking at stained-glass windows and somehow illuminating the dark corners of my heart, freeing me of that asshole.’

‘That was almost beautiful,’ he says, smiling wide. ‘You smoked him out. Congrats.’

‘Thank you. Now he’s nothing more than a pile of ashes in Mitzi’s backyard.’

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