“She scares me a little,” Cass admitted on a groan.
“She scares me a lot.”
“Fine. I’ll see if I can’t get Mack to a dinner date with you two. This Thursday or Friday?” At his nod, she added, “I’ll have to see when he has off.”
“Do it. I’ll owe you one.”
“Please. I’m adding that one to your list of many.”
***
Jed waited in the car while Cass took a quick pit stop at a gas station. The place was empty, most folks smart enough to realize that driving under the hazardous conditions outside made no sense.
He called home, keeping an eye on the front of the store.
“Jed?”
He smiled. “Hey, Shan. The kids okay?”
“In bed, finally.” Shannon let out a breath. “I swear, I blame you for the demon twins every day.”
“Yeah, I love them too.”
They both laughed.
“So, did she fall for it?” Shannon asked.
“Like a fat trout sucking down some plump night crawlers.”
“That’s disgusting.” Shannon sniffed. “But for our best friend, fine. I’ll be the bad guy.” She paused. “You’re sure this fireman is okay?”
“He’s perfect. He doesn’t mind Cass’s control issues and is just as competitive as she is. I checked into him, and he’s a genuinely nice guy. Plus, his partner told me that Mack’s got a thing for Cass. Even better, Mack gets the lifestyle. He’s a firefighter with Station 44. You know those posters you were drooling over about the new station?”
“Wait. That’s him?” Shannon sounded giddy.
He frowned. “Yeah, that’s him.”
She cleared her throat. “Oh, well. Good. He sounds like someone she’d do well with. And you did say you saw them kissing at the bar.”
“I said I saw them sucking face. More like she was devouring him. Kind of like a great white going in for the kill, if you want the truth.”
Shannon laughed. “Stop, please. And what’s with all the fish references?”
“My brother called again. He’s making plans for next summer. A week at the cabin on the lake. And fishing! Please, Shannon? I’ll even take the twins so you can go glam up at the spa in town. They apparently have seaweed wraps now.” Sounded disgusting, but his brother’s wife loved them.
“You sweet talker. Fine, we’ll go, and you’ll give me a spa day. But at some point you’ll have to tell Cass I wasn’t the wacko so invested in her dating life. You’re Mr. Matchmaker. You weirdo.”
“I’m weird. You’re weird. That’s why I love you.”
“Huh?”
“Gotta go. She’s back.” He quickly disconnected and pocketed his cell.
Cass entered the car and tossed a pack of gummy candy at him. “Tropical fruit. They didn’t have berry.” She buckled up and looked at him. “What?”
Cass wouldn’t want to hear that he worried about her. Or that he loved her like his own sister. So much so, he knew if he didn’t at least try to help her, she might one day regret the path her life had taken. He knew all about regrets, and if his own brother hadn’t helped him, he might not have Shannon today.
Jed knew what he’d seen watching her with Mack Revere. A spark of joy, laughter, and real connection he’d never seen her share with anyone else. Something all too rare in life and something she deserved.
