Chapter 74

Tank

August

"I didn't expect to see you here today," I lean over kissing Blaze, who looks gorgeous in her sundress and sandals. The turquoise color she's picked makes her look like The Little Mermaid with her red hair.

"I gave a talk at the high school about mental health awareness," she explains, putting a bag on my desk. "Then I went and got a piece of pie from The Café, because when your arms aren't available, chocolate and coconut make it all better."

I get up from my seat, enveloping her in my arms. "Why have chocolate and coconut when my arms are yours whenever you need them?"

She burrows her head into my chest, and like always, it makes me feel like I'm the strongest man in the world. To know this woman counts on me to be her anchor in the storm that's sometimes our lives is the biggest blessing I've ever received. "You okay?" I kiss her on the forehead.

"Yeah," she whispers. "Sometimes it's hard to talk about her, but I'm really proud of the work I've been doing in