Embers and Edict

lling. Today was Cindy's birthday - Mindy's best friend since preschool. Their names had rhymed, and that was all it took to spark a bond that l

s already dressed, calling out from the living room,

food on the counter. Mindy, her little sister, peeped through the kitc

forehead. "You two go ahead. I'll f

the final touches, carefully packing the dishes int

and by the time she was on her bike with the food str

sharp impact sent her toppling sideways. Her bike hit the side of a sleek, jet

with a cry, pain sli

ply dressed man - the driver - st

miss?" he ask

"Yes... I'm okay. I'm so sorry. I didn't m

ammed. A deeper, colder vo

t snapped. "The cost alone could buy your e

ca f

rned s

e had walked straight out of a fashion magazine, if the cover model was also CEO of a billion-dollar empire. His tai

r mouth, but

- part fear, part r

passenger window rolled down. Antoin

rp pain in her leg. "I'm sorry. I didn

er, gathering the food containers from

ured, brushing dust f

tly, watching her wit

out one of the food containers. "Here. F

led slightly. "I do

breath, pushed the food into his hand through the car window, a

r bike, thanked Antoi

time. Children sang, music played, and the scent of her food filled the air. Ang

nca! What happened?"

accident," Bianca replied

r". "Yes Auntie I'm

a worried look

y through his meal. "This is incredible," he mumbled through a

ised an eyeb

holding the container out to h

iel took a bite. On

maybe even admiration - but it vanished as

irked. "Yo

rugged. "It'

the position," Antoine said cautiou

es. "You rooting for her

e just looked out the wi

ty, Bianca stayed back to help clean up.

He's a chef too - handsome, charming

fore she could respond, her phone

politely and stepped a

r, she returned, p

ately and raised an eyebrow.

med. "I go

ipping juice nearby,

r joy. "Lockhart & Locke firm...

a hug. "I told you things

ight for the first time in