“I—” She visibly swallowed and pulled her gaze away.
I wasn’t willing to accept that she didn’t feel the same. Deep down, I knew she did. But I also knew she was busy assessing the possible fallout in her head.
“Love,” I whispered, rubbing my thumb back and forth along her cheek. Once she met my eyes again I continued, “You’re so damn important to me. And if you tell me you don’t feel the same, I’ll go back to being just your friend. Because I can’t imagine not having you in my life.” Honestly though, and maybe I was overly confident, I didn’t believe she could utter those words. And if I had to, I would continue to show her how amazing we could be together until she realized it too.
“I don’t understand…” She slowly stepped back out of my hold, shaking her head.
What didn’t she understand? I thought I was laying it out pretty clearly for her. I couldn’t think of any other way to be clearer.
But before I could say anything, she asked, “Have you felt this way the whole time?”
My stomach bottomed out at the hint of suspicion in her voice. I roughed a hand down my face. I wouldn’t lie to her.
“Yes.” I paused when she gasped, but then rushed the rest of the words I needed to say out. “But I convinced myself I was better for you as a friend. I’ve never been interested in a future with anyone. Never saw myself as that type of guy.” I shrugged.
“And now?” She cocked a brow.
“Now all I can see is you.” I silently cheered when her lips lifted into a smile. “After—” Emotion rose to the surface as the words got stuck in my throat. “After the accident…I started to realize it’s you next to me that I see in my future.”
“We probably wouldn’t be able to ride together.”
I bit back a chuckle at the way she pouted at that idea. Frankly, I hated that too. Riding together as partners was something we both enjoyed.
“Probably not.” I stepped forward and ran my hands up her arms. “But you never know. We’re a small station and short on staff. Chief might not have a choice sometimes but to pair us together. But you’re right, we wouldn’t be able to in the same capacity we have been.”
An air of hesitancy still lingered around her. Maybe I admitted too much. Regardless, I needed her to be sure. Because I was damn sure.
I searched for the right words, but a heartbeat later, loud shrieking alarms sounded from the hallway. My body tensed. The last thing I wanted to do was take her outside, especially if this was the arsonist trying to lure us out.
I walked to the door, placing my hand on it to feel for heat. After feeling nothing, I checked the peephole and then opened it enough to see down the hall. The slight smell of smoke hung in the air. Almost immediately, the alarms in my apartment went off too and the emergency lights kickedon.
Now I had no choice. There was obviously a fire, and we couldn’t stay in there.
I grabbed Lyla by the hand and led her into the hallway. Tenants from the other units on the floor stepped out into the hallway to investigate, some already heading straight for the stairs.
“Need to evacuate,” I yelled loudly.
Lyla and I joined the crowd descending the stairs. Smoke billowed out from the end of the first floor where the laundry room sat.
I pulled Lyla into my side, placing my arm tightly around her shoulders as we stepped outside. The patrol car was still in the same position it was when I’d arrived home.
What the hell was going on? If this was the arsonist, was he suddenly bold enough to try something with Ethan still sitting out here watching the building? This would be a huge escalation for him. Or was he just sending a message? A message that he could still get to her.
Was I letting my suspicion get ahead of me? Lead me to an overreaction or rash decisions. Maybe it was just a simple dryer fire and not the work of the arsonist.
Either way, there was no way we were hanging around out in the open to find out.
Ethan appeared on the sidewalk. “What’s going on?”
“A fire on the first floor, maybe the laundry room.” I glanced around as I weighed my options. “I’m taking her to the firehouse.”
Ethan nodded. “I’ll call Dylan and make sure everyone is out.” He waited until we were in my car before turning around and running into the building.
“The fire station?” Lyla glanced over at me as I drove the car out of the lot.
“Yeah, he won’t try to set that on fire.”
She raised a brow. “You sure?”
