Red Roses and Regret

me first, ac

buildin

t a boom, but enough to rattle the w

?" I yelled, a

to the door. H

iving room window, in the direction of the street, t

already yanking th

as g

like

e acrid smell stronger now, my

e explosion was

hone and keys,

ted blaring, a d

hallway, smoke already c

e shouting

ed for

e chaos of the street. Firet

him

near Chloe's less

as wit

heavily on him, her face buried in his shoulder

't look

led me. Hadn't che

eyes met mine o

ust... a flicker of somethin

sharp, cut th

ards them, pushing th

rted, his voice

tear-filled. "Oh, Sarah, thank Go

i

asked, my voice tigh

inging to him. "Of course.

While he r

the words tasting like ash

e, finally loo

oftly, clutchi

rk said, his tone placating. "I

ng but firm. "The only shock

away, leaving him st