Gisselle shrugged, a smile playing at her lips. "Professional curiosity. I design communities. Understanding how essential services operate helps me create better spaces. Plus, the fire hall seems like the heart of Goodwin Grove, in a way. Everyone I've met is connected to someone in the department."
Something was refreshing about her perspective, the way she genuinely saw and appreciated the role the department played in the community, not just the dramatic rescues or the headline-making fires, but our everyday presence in the community.
"The department's been around since 1952. Some families are third-generation firefighters here. It's more than a job for most of us."
"I love that. I should let you get home. You look like you've had a long day," Gisselle stated, seemingly reading my fatigue.
"Yeah. We responded to a storage complex fire today," I admitted.
Her expression shifted. "I heard the sirens earlier. Is everyone okay?"
"No injuries," I assured her.
Gisselle nodded. "I'm glad you're safe."
"Thank you." As Gisselle prepared to continue her walk, I was reluctant to end our conversation. It had been… easy to talk to her. "Be careful walking back. People tend to take this curve too fast sometimes."
"I'm about done with my walk anyway. I needed to burn off some energy."
"I could give you a ride."
"Sure." Gisselle walked around and got inside my truck.
I pulled away from the curb as Gisselle gave me her address, which was nearby.
"We're having our annual firefighter charity event, a chili cookoff, next Saturday. It's our department's biggest fundraiser. This year, it will provide new equipment for the children's ward at Goodwin Grove General. I would love to see you there."
"Are you asking me on a date?" Gisselle playfully asked.
"I guess I am." I raised my eyebrows, taken aback.
"I'll be there then, and I'll bring my appetite." She smiled.
"I'll be judging, but I'm looking forward to seeing you there. Can I have your phone number so I can send you the details later this week?"
Gisselle handed me her phone. I typed in my phone number and then handed it back to her.
"Thanks for dropping me off. Please be safe getting home, and get some rest," she ordered.
I smiled at her concern. "I will."
I climbed out of the truck to open her door.
"Bye," she said.
"Later."
I got back inside my truck and pulled away from the curb. Sometimes, a human connection, a simple conversation, was what was needed to break the cycle of obsessive thinking. As I continued home, I was more pleased than I cared to admit.
Look at God!Ever since our chance encounter, I'd prayed for a way to run into Liam again, so when he invited me to the charity event, I was ecstatic. The chili cook-off was in full swing as I approached the community park. Laughter and music grew louder the closer I got. Liam offered to pick me up, but I told him I had to finalize a design and send out a few emails before joining the festivities.
Each station displayed a different fire company logo or sponsor banner. Kids with painted Dalmatian faces ran around, wearing plastic firefighter helmets. Several families visited the fire truck, parked at the edge of the grass, with its doors open, creating a photo op for the excited children.
"Well, damn, look who decided to grace us with her presence," Jaxon commented.
I turned to find him walking my way with his arms spread wide like I was a long-lost friend he'd expected. He wore a black apron with the words "Too Hot to Handle" across the chest.
"I had nothing better to do," I replied with a shrug. I couldn't keep the smile off my face. I walked into his hug.
