“I didn’t want things to change.”
Rhett’s expression softened. “Things already have changed, T. In the best possible way.” He squeezed my hand. “Take the promotion. Be Lieutenant Matthews. Make us all proud.”
I looked at him, my throat tight. I couldn’t have both. And keeping him was worth any sacrifice.
The door opened and Chief Ramirez returned, a folder in his hand.
“All right,” he said, reclaiming his seat. “Did you make your final decision?”
“I’ll take it.” The words came out before I could second-guess them. “The lieutenant position. I’ll take it.”
“Good. I already talked to the chief at Station 12, because I’ve been here for twenty-five hours and I’m ready to get the fuck out of here. Fate was on your side—looks like you’ll both be on B shift at your respective stations. Same hours, more or less, and they need you quick, so it’ll be a smooth transition. I don’t have to worry about your schedules conflicting. Win-win.”
Relief washed over me in a dizzying wave. I glanced at Rhett, who was beaming at me with such naked pride it made my chest ache.
“Thank you, sir.”
Outside, walking toward Rhett’s truck, the weight of it settled over me. We wouldn’t be working together anymore. The thought left a hollow feeling in my stomach, a bittersweet weight on my shoulders.
Rhett must have read it on my face because he stopped walking, turning to face me with a serious expression.
“I’d rather have you as my boyfriend than go back to how we were. But we can make it work if you want to stay here, with this crew. Maybe I can put in for a transfer instead—”
I didn’t let him finish. I grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him into a rough kiss, backing him up against his truck, pouring every ounce of gratitude and love and desire I felt into the contact. He made a surprised sound against my mouth before melting into me, his hands gripping my waist.
From somewhere nearby came wolf whistles and hooting. We broke apart to see a group of firefighters by the apparatus bay, washing one of the engines, all grinning and catcalling in our direction.
“Get a room, Matthews!” someone shouted.
I flipped them off without looking, keeping my eyes locked on Rhett’s flushed face. “I’m going to kiss my boyfriend wherever the fuck I like,” I called back, loud enough for them all to hear.
Chapter 18
Rhett
Ipushedthedooropen, scanning the living room for Aimee. The space was quiet except for the soft hum of the refrigerator. I noticed a coffee mug on the counter, a faint lipstick mark on the rim, and a half-eaten bagel sandwich beside it. She’d been up, but where was she now?
An orange blur shot across the floor, followed by a gray streak that darted under the coffee table. Cheeto and Olive.
“Where’s Aimee?” Troy asked. I met Troy’s wide eyes. “She wouldn’t leave the kittens loose while she went out. She knows they’re not ready to be unsupervised.”
Troy’s expression darkened as he closed and locked the door behind us. “Her stalker—”
“Don’t.” I didn’t want to hear the words or acknowledge the possibility that someone had gotten to her, that the snake sender had escalated to something worse.
I bent down, scooping up Cheeto as he dashed across the floor. Olive peeked out from under the coffee table, her green eyes wide and curious. “Hey, buddy.” I scratched the wriggling orange kitten behind his ears. “Where’d she go?”
Troy moved through the apartment with the same careful efficiency he used during search and rescues. “Bathroom’s empty.” His voice was tight from the hallway. “So are the bedrooms.”
“Where is she?” My voice cracked with panic as I carried Cheeto to the kitten enclosure and deposited him inside, just in case we had to leave.
Olive darted between my legs, nearly tripping me as I reached for her. I caught her and gently set her in the enclosure with her brother as Troy followed me into my room. “Check her purse. It’s on the dresser. If she took her wallet and keys, we’ll know if she left on her own.”
“Her keys and wallet are inside, but no sign of—”
“Can you two please keep it down?” Aimee’s muffled but unmistakable voice came from somewhere in my bedroom. “I’m trying to record in here.”
“Aimee?”
