hurt.
It felt like an elephant was perched on her forehead, tap dancing. Every breath she took sent a piercing pain through her chest. There was a fog she couldn’t seem to shake from her brain. She let out a soft groan, her voice raspy and burning as she tried to speak.
“Zoey… someone go get the doctor.”
That voice. She knew that voice. Why couldn’t she open her eyes?
“Zoey.” rough fingers danced along her face, brushing her hair from her cheek. “Darlin, can you open your eyes?”
“Dawson?” She rasped out, finally recognizing who was at her side. Her eyelids were heavy as she pried them open and blinked at the light that burned when her vision adjusted. Glancing around the room, she saw her mother at her feet. Dawson was at her side, holding her hand in his.
“Where… Where am I?” Zoey squeezed her eyes shut when the memory of flames assaulted her, taking her breath away. “Oh my God. My store?” Her voice cracked with raw emotion.
“It’s going to be alright, Zoey.” Her mom patted her leg. “All that matters is you’re safe and alive.” Katrina sucked in a sob. “I almost lost you.”
“Is it gone?”
Dawson sat down beside her, his palm cupping her cheek. “We can rebuild. All that matters is you’re awake now. God, Zoey. We… I thought I’d lost you in that fire.”
“You saved me.” It wasn’t a question. Zoey already knew it was him. The angel that pulled her from the inferno.
“If I’d been a moment later…” his voice drifted off, his eyes dipping to the bed.
“But you weren’t.” Zoey tightened her fingers in his. “Do they know what happened?”
“Arson.” Her mother’s words were bitter on her tongue.
“Arson?”
“Well… it looks like you’ve decided to join us.” The doctor cut off her question, pushing into the room. “Let’s check you over.”
For the next fifteen minutes, he reviewed her vitals and gave them instructions on aftercare. Since there were no outward injuries, she’ll be released—assuming the blood work shows nothing nefarious.
“You’ll stay with me.” Her mother spoke, standing to gather her things.
“Mom…” Zoey pinched her nose.
“What? Your apartment is gone, Zoey. Your things are gone. Where else would you go?”
“With me. She can stay with me.” Dawson glanced between the two women. “Zoey, let me take care of you.”
“Dawson… that’s sweet, but mom’s right. I’ll be fine at her house.”
Dawson stood. He couldn’t deny the rejection stung a little, but he understood. “Well, the offer still stands. Let me at least drive you home.”
“That works out well. Here,” Katrina pulled off her house key and handed it to him. “Take her to my house, so I can go grab a few essentials for her. I will meet you in a few hours. I’ll bring dinner with me, so plan on staying, Dawson.”
Katrina kissed Zoey and left them alone to wait on the discharge papers.
“Dawson,” Zoey cocked her head, a slight headache still pounded against her temple, “You said they suspect arson caused the fire?”
“Yes. It’s still early in the investigation, but everything is pointing to it being intentionally set.”
“Why?” Zoey couldn’t stop the tears from falling, “Who would do this to me?”
Dawson sat beside her, pulling her into his arms. He held her close while she let the emotions pour out of her. “I don’t know, Zoey. But the police are investigating this. They’ll figure it out.”
“My whole life’s gone up in flames. It was all I had, Dawson.”
“No, it wasn’t, Zoey. You have your mom. Hell,” He pulled back to look into her eyes. “You have me, too.” His lips captured hers in a heartfelt kiss.
“You should cut your losses, Dawson.” She pulled away from him, looking out the window of her hospital room.
“What? Why would you say that?”
“Look at me. I’m just some girl with nothing now. You don’t deserve the headache I bring.”
“Shut up.” His words bit more than he meant, but he needed her to hear him. “Zoey… I don’t care about what’s happening. But I care about you. So, help me God, if I hear you say you’re not worth it one more time…”
Zoey scooted out of bed, standing slowly, “You’ll what?”
Dawson was on her in a millisecond. “I’ll show you how beautiful you are until you believe it. Because you’re beautiful, Zoey. And worth every fucking thing I have. Damn, you’re insufferable.” He pulled her to him, his arms wrapping around her body. “Let’s get you changed so we can go home.”
“Changed into what? All my clothes were burned, remember?”
“I brought you some of my sweats, here…” he reached beneath the bed and pulled out a bag.
“Thanks.”
Zoey took the bag and hurried into the bathroom. Staring at her reflection, all she saw was a broken and angry woman looking back.