Chapter 6: The Storm

The storm hit on day four, at ten past nine, in the middle of a three-tier lemon cake.

The lights in the bakery kitchen went out all at once, and the mixers died with a groan.

Thunder rolled over the roof.

"Fuse box," I said into the dark. "It's in the back, behind the flour."

"Stay there."

"I know where it is."

"Allegra. Stay there."

I stayed put for a heartbeat.

Then I found the flashlight in the drawer and followed the sound of him moving flour sacks.

The fuse box was set into the wall behind the shelves, in a gap barely wide enough for one person.

Teo was crammed into it with his shoulders against the brick.

I had to press up behind him to hold the light.

I felt the heat coming off his back through his shirt.

"Higher," he said. "I can't see."

I raised the flashlight and my arm brushed his ribs.

He went still.

The storm shook the window glass.

I could smell soap and rain and the iron smell of old tools.

I stood there with my chest against his back and my breath in his shirt.

"Day four," he said quietly, to the fuse box.

"Don't."

"Thirty days, Allegra. That's what you said. I only kiss the ones who last a month."

"You're not funny."

"I'm not trying to be."

He flipped a switch, and nothing happened.

"I'm just wondering which one of us is going to crack first."

I dropped the flashlight.

It rolled across the floor and threw a bar of white light along the baseboard.

I took hold of his shirt with both fists and turned him around.

He turned slowly, and in the sideways light his eyes were nearly black.

"Me," I said. "It's going to be me."

I kissed him.

His hands came up and caught my face.

His mouth opened under mine with a low, helpless sound.

He tasted of coffee.

His back hit the shelves and a sack of flour slid and burst on the floor between our feet.

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