Saxon grits his teeth. “Fine.”
He stands slowly, pain tight in his jaw. He looks down at me one last time before stepping back.
“I’ll be okay,” he says.
“I know,” I whisper. “But I’m still terrified.”
He smirks softly. “Me too.”
They usher him toward the waiting ambulance, and he finally lets them check his arms.
But even as they lead him away, he keeps looking back at me. Once. Twice. Three times.
Like he’s afraid I’ll disappear if he blinks. I hold Junie against my chest, rocking her gently. But my eyes stay on him. The man who risked everything for us. The man who ran toward my scream like it was the only sound that mattered. The man who held my daughter like she was his entire world. The man I’m done pretending I don’t love. This is no fake engagement. This is real. Raw. Terrifying. Beautiful. Forever.
And I know—deep in my bones—that loving Saxon Cole might burn me alive.
But after what I just saw?
He’s the only fire I’ll ever run toward again.
Chapter Twelve
Saxon
The second Junie is cleared by the medic and Briar stops shaking, the world starts to stitch itself back together. The sirens fade. The fire is mostly out and families gather in small clusters, whispering relief. Kids cling to their parents as the smoke thins in the air.
But I’m not watching any of them.
I’m watching Briar’s ex storm toward her across the parking lot—face twisted, jaw tight, looking like he wants to pick a fight with the whole world. Great. Just what I need.
“Briar!” he snaps. “What the hell was that? Leaving her alone in there? Letting some—some firefighter play hero?”
I stiffen.
He keeps going. “You can’t rely on men like him, Briar. They leave. They disappear. They’re babysitters with badges. That’s all. A uniform. Nothing real underneath.”
Briar tenses, eyes wide, protective arm around Junie.
He steps closer. “You think he’s some kind of savior? He’ll ditch you just like everyone else eventually. That’s what guys like him do.”
I walk toward them. Slow. Controlled. But every step might as well be a warning siren. He doesn’t see me coming until I’m two feet away.
Briar looks up—relief mixing with tension. “Saxon?—”
Her ex scowls. “Oh look. Here’s your fake fiancée.”
I stop right in front of him. “Watch your mouth.”
“Or what?” he spits. “You gonna threaten me? In front of my daughter?”
“She’s not your daughter when it’s convenient,” I say. “You don’t get to play protective father tonight.”
His face contorts with anger. “You don’t know anything about me.”
“I know you didn’t run into that building,” I growl. “I know you didn’t carry her out. And I know you’re damn lucky she’s still breathing.”
He opens his mouth, stupid enough to argue.
