Dead River (24 page)

As the sun begins to slide behind the trees, Trey puts his arms around me and pulls me close. When he says “I love you,” I know that this, us, is one of those things.

“Who’s going to make the fire?” Angela asks.

“I’m on it,” I say, holding up two sticks.

Angela and Justin look at each other and burst out laughing. “I’ll believe that when I see it,” Justin mumbles.

“Prepare to be amazed,” I say, crouching over the fire pit.

I concentrate on wanting it. Two minutes later, a good-sized fire is crackling in the pit. My cousin and my ex-boyfriend exchange glances, sufficiently impressed. Trey leans over me and whispers, “I call that cheating, kid.”

I grin. “How is it cheating, using my innate Mistress abilities?”

He bows. “Oh, of course, Your Royal Highness.”

When I try to smack him, he grabs my hand and pulls me into another embrace. His kiss is hotter than any fire I could make.

Later, we all sit in a circle, toasting marshmallows, and when it’s time to tell stories, I’m the first to volunteer. Because I have a really good one. But this one is true, and best of all, it has a happy ending.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CYN BALOG fell out of the raft on her first, and only, trip down the Dead River. She is the author of
Starstruck, Sleepless
, and
Fairy Tale
. Cyn lives in Pennsylvania with her family. Visit her online at
cynbalog.com
.