“Grayson the firefighter,” she said. “Hmm.”
When he smiled, his face lit up. His goatee was lined to precision. His hair was cut low in a fresh fade that waved. She was trying to size him up, but he was difficult to read. He wore a simple watch on his wrist, but other than that, no jewelry, a work hazard she assumed, and he smelled like burning wood. Oddly, it was intriguing.
“I feel like a million assumptions are going through your mind about me right now.” He chuckled and folded his arms across his chest. “I’m just being a gentleman, no need to overthink it.”
“You’re right,” Stassi agreed. “I’d appreciate a ride.”
He stepped aside and motioned for her to lead the way. “After you.”
The red fire truck that sat outside filled her with excitement for some reason. He glanced down at her as they walked side by side. He chuckled.
“What?” she asked, smiling.
“Everybody has that reaction when they ride in one for the first time. It’s something about it that makes you feel like a big kid,” Grayson said, already knowing what the look on her face revealed.
“I mean, it’s kind of cool,” she admitted. He walked her to the passenger side and opened the door.
“Watch your step,” he said. She hopped up, and he closed the door before joining her on the driver’s side. He reached across her, secured her seatbelt, and then started the engine. She felt the truck come alive beneath her, and she giggled.
“Correction, this is very cool.” She couldn’t stop smiling.
“Glad you approve,” he said.
She put her address in the GPS and turned up the volume so he could hear the instructions as he pulled out of the parking lot.
“How long have you been a firefighter?” she asked.
“Long time. About 15 years now,” he said. “Did four years in the navy, came home, and this was destined for me.”
“So, you got a hero complex.” She covered her mouth as soon as she said it because she hadn’t meant to say it aloud. “I’m sorry. That was rude as hell.”
“I’m a lot of things. A hero isn’t one of them,” he said. His message was cryptic, and his tone a bit sad. “I do love what I do, though.”
“You aren’t afraid you’ll get hurt one day? You walk into burning buildings to save complete strangers.” She knew it took a level of selflessness to even consider the profession. She was much too selfish to ever sign up for the task.
“Somebody has to make the sacrifice. Why not me?” he asked.
“I’m sure somebody who loves you is asking why it has to be you,” she offered.
“There’s nobody asking that question.”
The answer was so somber that it put a pit in Stassi’s stomach. How could there not be someone waiting for him out in the world? A wife? A child? A parent? Hell, a sibling? She wanted to probe but decided not to.
The awkward silence that followed was uncomfortable. The conversation had gotten too deep, too quickly. They were strangers making small talk, and lack of love was the biggest topic of them all.
“Tell me about you. You’re a promoter?” Grayson asked.
“Not at all,” she replied. “I was just filling in for a friend. I’m an event planner. I typically do much smaller events.”
“Well, maybe it’s time to level up. I mean, if tonight was any indication, I’d say you can handle it,” he said.
He was only speaking what she was feeling, but it felt amazing to have someone acknowledge it aloud.
“Yeah, I think so,” she smiled because she was proud of how she had commanded the night. “My exit’s right up here.” She pointed to direct him off the freeway. He eased out of traffic and onto the ramp that led to her street.
He pulled curbside, and Stassi turned to him.
“Thank you for the ride home.”
