“Well, the girl thought it was sweet, too.She stuck around until we got her boyfriend out of the tree.She was all over him when we left.”
“So everything went well, and no one got hurt.”
“Yeah.It was a nice call.”
Caleb could imagine that it had been nicer than having to answer fires or car accidents.He realized that Austin was giving him lighthearted stories because, well, this was their first date.He wasn’t here to get gory stories, anyway.He liked it when Austin smiled, and he’d been doing a lot of that while he spoke.Caleb wanted to see more of it.
He wanted to see more of Austin in general.He should have realized this sooner, but he was in trouble.Austin would be too easy to fall for.Not only was he great at his job, a steady presence, and very sweet, but he was also charismatic.Caleb was pretty sure that Austin had the attention of a few people sitting around them who were trying hard not to show it.They were paying attention, though.The lady with the baby in the corner had snickered when Austin had finished telling his story.
Austin’s phone was face down on the table.It started vibrating, getting Austin’s attention.When Austin grimaced, Caleb knew their date was over.
“I’m sorry about this,” Austin said.“It wasn’t supposed to be a date, so I have a shift.If I’d known, I would’ve organized this differently.”
“Neither of us knew it was going to be a date.Don’t worry about it.”
“Are you sure?I could ask someone to cover for me.”
“You don’t have to do that.Go to work, and we’ll talk again soon.We have to, don’t we?”
Austin’s expression turned more serious.“Yes, we do.Will you stay here and work a while longer?”
It was tempting to say yes because Caleb felt like he had to, but he also knew that he probably wouldn’t be able to focus.Most of his thoughts seemed to be on Austin, and he doubted that would change when Austin left.Caleb’s mind was full of the man, and for the first time in what felt like forever, he wanted more.He wanted more of Austin, more time together, more opportunities.He wanted to see where things went.He might have distrusted Austin initially, but that was all in the past.
Caleb shook his head.“I think I’ll go home.”
Austin looked relieved.This might only be their first date, but Caleb had known he’d be a little overprotective.It was normal considering the situation, especially with Austin’s job.He protected people for a living.Of course he’d want to keep Caleb safe, and the best way for him to do that was not to leave him alone in a public place.Caleb didn’t think anyone would try anything in a coffee shop, not even the arsonist, but it was better this way.
“Let me walk you to your car, then,” Austin said as he got to his feet.
Caleb had long ago finished his coffee, so he threw away the empty cup and gathered his things.Austin waited patiently, smiling at him when Caleb turned to him every so often.It felt odd, but also good.Caleb really hoped things would work out for them.He wanted them to.
Even though Austin had to go to work, they left the coffee shop slowly, almost as if they didn’t want to be separated.Caleb knew that was how he felt, but he didn’t say anything, and he didn’t ask if Austin felt the same.It was way too soon for that.It was way too soon for a lot of things, in fact, but part of Caleb couldn’t help but wonder if they actually had that much time.Austin had a dangerous job.He might be a dragon shifter, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t get hurt.In fact, being a shifter made him vulnerable in some ways.He had to hide what he was, which might mean taking risks.Part of his job consisted of rescuing cats and idiots, but another had him running into fires and doing everything he could to protect people.He wasn’t even out to his team, which put him in even more danger.
But Caleb didn’t say anything about that.This might have been a date, but it wasn’t his place, not yet.He hoped it would be eventually.He hoped a lot of things when it came to this relationship, but it was too soon to say any of them.
He led the way toward his car, stopping by the driver’s door.“I had fun,” he said.“Even though this wasn’t supposed to happen.”
Austin’s smile told Caleb that he’d enjoyed himself just as much.“Sometimes, the best things are the ones we don’t expect,” he said.
Caleb blinked.“Does that refer to our date or to our relationship in general?”
Austin’s smile widened.“Why not both?”
“You’re not wrong.I definitely didn’t expect to end up on a date with you.”
“Part of me wants to ask what made you change your mind, but another part doesn’t care.I’m also a little afraid to find out, to be honest.”
Caleb shook his head.“You shouldn’t be.As soon as I decided to give you a chance, I knew this could work.When I said no to working with you when you asked, it was because I was afraid.”
Austin nodded.“Of Sal.”
“Of trusting the wrong person.I saw what happened with Sal.Jonathan thought he was the one, but instead, he revealed himself to be a monster.I didn’t think that you were one, but the thought that you might not actually be the person you portrayed was scary.”
“Yet here you are.”
“Jonathan and West know you better than I do.They vouched for you, and I trust their judgment.”
“Lucky me,” Austin murmured as he leaned closer.
