She frowns. “Okay. That’s not great, but also… technology is dumb? I once got dumped because my text got stuck in airplane mode and the guy assumed I ghosted him. You remember Ben?”
“You'rethe one who ghosted him,” I mutter.
“Yeah, but not untilafterthat. He wore dad-sneakers with jeans. I had no choice.”
Despite myself, I snort.
Ana grins. “My point is, don’t spiral yet. Not until we’ve at least ruled out app glitches, amnesia, or a rogue raccoon stealing his phone.”
I roll my eyes. “You really think I’m not being insane about this?”
“I think you're being... emotionally compromised,” she says carefully. “But not stupid. You just got laid by the hottest-sounding man in Canada. But it wasn’t just sex, was it?”
I go quiet, willing the pang to settle. It wasn’t just the sex, it was the way I let him see me.
My pain, my past, all the jagged things I usually keep locked up tight. I thought I’d found someone whose scars fit against mine, and the way he spoke made me think he felt the same.
Ana watches me closely. “So yeah. Maybe this meant something to him, too. But I’ve gotta say it—because I love you—some of these firefighter guys? They’re pros at making you feel like you’re the only girl in the room, and thenpoof.Theyvanish.”
The fireplace pops, drawing my attention. “I didn’t feel like he was like that.”
She tilts her head. “I mean, sure. And maybe he’s not. But Frankie…” She hesitates, then gently continues. “You also once believed that bartender was taking a vow of celibacy for you.”
“He told me he was finding himself!”
“He was finding himself inside three other women. Simultaneously.”
I groan and let my head fall back.
“I’m not saying this guy’s the same.” Ana’s voice softens. “But I’ve heard enough things about firefighters to know that some of them are—”
“Insatiable?” I offer. “Addicted to adrenaline, emotionally avoidant, and constantly horny?”
Ana snorts. “I was going to say charming.”
“Heischarming,” I say, and instantly regret the rawness in my voice.
“And hey,” she adds lightly, “if hedoesturn out to be a sexed-up firefighter cliché, at least you got the full experience. Did he make you come at least three times?”
My face burns.
“Oh my god,he did.” She leans back with a smug grin. “You dirty little elf.”
“Shut up.”
“You shut up. And get dressed, you heathen.”
“Guess I should. Tam and everyone is going to a thing down at the lake. He might be there.”
“You’re going, right?
I glance toward the window. The sky’s pale and heavy, like the snow could start again at any second.
“I dunno. I feel stupid.”
“Well,” she says cheerfully. “You have just had someone fucking your brains out, so technically—”
“I swear to God, Ana…”
