The piercing fire alarm shattered the early morning silence. Zara jolted upright in bed, heart hammering as the shrill sound filled the apartment. For a split second, she forgot where she was, then Cade’s arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer.“Relax,” he muttered sleepily, voice rough from the night before. “It’s probably another false alarm.”But the smell of faint smoke hit her nose. “False alarm or not, we have to get out,” she said, swatting his shoulder and scrambling out of bed.Cade groaned, dragging a hand over his face before throwing on a pair of jeans. “You’re bossy even during an emergency.”“Someone has to have common sense,” she shot back, slipping into her robe and grabbing her phone. She opened the door, and the hallway was already filling with confused residents. Some clutched pets, others still wore pajamas.Zara stepped out, holding Cade’s hand as they joined the crowd heading for the stairwell. It felt strange, almost too normal, to be walking beside hi
Last Updated : 2025-10-29 Read more