Page 127 of A Million To Fall

Clipboard tucked beneath one arm, Skye walks a little girl toward a waiting SUV. She’s smiling at something the kid says, her auburn ponytail swaying as she crouches to give one last goodbye before sending her on her way.

For a second, all I can do is stare, my chest tightening.

Then aching.

The SUV pulls away.

And Skye’s eyes lock on mine.

Alright, Boss, move!

I force my feet onward until I reach the sidewalk. And Skye.

“Hey Stormy,” I breathe. Her name on my tongue is like that drink of water after a week in the desert.

Her expression softens. “Hey.”

For a second, neither of us says anything. Just stand there looking at each other while the heat settles over everything.

Then she lifts her clipboard slightly. “We missed you today.”

My heart stumbles.

Don’t.

“Yeah, I…” I scratch the back of my neck. “Had some stuff to take care of.”

She nods, but her eyes linger on me a second longer than they probably should. “Everything okay?”

“Depends on your definition of okay.”

Her eyebrows lift.

“It’s just been a long day,” I say vaguely. “How about you? Did you have a good trip?”

She shrugs. “Depends on your definition of good.” Her smile doesn’t reach beyond her lips.

I frown, immediately suspicious. But I stop myself from digging. I’m not violating her boundaries.

Another beat passes, a single bead of sweat rolling down the back of my neck.

The heat is oppressive.

“Actually,” I say, glancing toward the building, “I just stopped by to see Cass and Bronx for a minute.”

The second the words leave my mouth, Skye’s face falls.

“Boss, I’m sorry,” she says. “They’re already gone.”

My stomach sinks. Of course they are.

“You missed them by maybe five minutes.”

I close my eyes briefly. “Well that… sucks.”

Skye nods, her bottom lip caught between her teeth. “It does.”

I shove my hands back into my pockets and nod once. “I’ll see you next week?”