This Lily doesn’t bloom, she burns.

Lily’s POV

A sharp knock on the car window dragged me from sleep. My head lolled against the glass as I blinked groggily, trying to adjust my eyes to the overcast light.

At the driver’s seat, Alex sat still, his expression unreadable, watching me like I was some creature under glass.

I rolled my eyes and turned away, pressing my cheek to the window, as if his gaze might vanish if I ignored it hard enough.

The driver's side window rolled down with a mechanical hum. Mr. Dankworth’s face appeared, his dark eyes trained on me. “You’re okay to take her in yourself?” he...