Ava placed the last stick on the pile, brushing her hands off on the sides of her jeans.
Her heart was still skipping, not from the walk but from him. Every step back from the woods had been a silent scream.
Azazel, still close, dropped the sticks beside hers and dusted off his palms. He didn't speak, not a word since the puzzle comment, and that silence wasn't helping her brain function any better.
Julie looked between them with an amused glint. "Thanks, you two. Perfect timing. Roman, you want to light it up?"
Roman nodded, pulling out a lighter from his pocket. "Already on it."
A flame flickered to life, crackling softly as it caught on the dry leaves and sticks.
Smoke curled gently upward, and the orange glow painted the small circle of faces in golden warmth.
Julie folded her arms and leaned into Roman's side. "Finally. I've been waiting all day for this."
"You just wanted an excuse to sit outside and drink cocoa under the stars," he murmured.
