“This is a flare gun, baby.” He sets the black metal object down near my feet. “If something is wrong, you fire it off. I will see it. Okay?” I hear him swallow. “I’ll be back as soon as I’ve got your paperwork, okay?” I force myself to nod. “Be careful,” I whisper. “And thank you.” After a long moment of scrutinizing me, he leans in and kisses my forehead. “It’s an honor, Allie.”
