"Something smells amazing." Her arms slid around my waist from behind. "You cooked."
I turned in her arms. Cupped her face. Kissed her properly, the way I'd been wanting to since she walked out the door this morning.
"How was work?" I asked when we finally broke apart.
She groaned. Hopped up onto the counter, legs swinging. "Chaotic. The temporary office is a nightmare. Too small, bad lighting, and the coffee machine keeps breaking." She rubbed her temples. "Building won't be ready for at least eight months. Structural assessments and insurance disputes."
"That bad?"
"Marianne's handling it, but she's stressed. New security protocols, evacuation procedures, mandatory fire safety training for the whole staff." A wry smile. "I've been asked to consult on that last one. Apparently surviving a building fire makes me an expert."
"You are an expert. You survived a building fire."
"I survived because my boyfriend broke down the door with a halligan."
She reached out, hooked her fingers in my belt loops, pulled me closer. "How was your shift?"
"Good." I settled my hands on her thighs, thumbs tracing circles against the fabric of her pants. "Actually, more than good. Rodriguez called us together this morning. The fire commissioner wants to give me a commendation."
Sloane's eyes widened. "Garrett. That's amazing."
"The documentation. The reports that helped expose the corruption. They're doing a ceremony at the firehouse next week."
"A ceremony." She was grinning now, that bright, fierce grin I loved. "My boyfriend is getting decorated by the fire commissioner."
"It's not a big deal."
"It's a huge deal." She pulled me closer, wrapped her legs around my waist. "Seven years, Garrett. Seven years of filing reports no one read." She kissed me. Hard. "I'm so proud of you."
"Will you be there?"
"Are you kidding?" She pulled back, looked at me like I'd asked if the sun was going to rise. "Of course I'll be there. I wouldn't miss watching my man get decorated for anything."
Something warm spread through my chest. Pride. Relief. Love so big my ribs couldn't contain it.
"Thursday," I said. "Two o'clock. Full dress uniforms."
"I'll be in the front row." She kissed me again, softer this time. "Cheering embarrassingly loud."
"Please don't."
"I'm absolutely going to." She was laughing now, her whole face bright with it. "I'm going to be that person. The one who whoops when they call your name. The one who cries during the speech."
"You wouldn't."
She wiped at imaginary tears. "That's my baby up there. Getting recognized for his bravery and dedication. I'msoemotional."
I silenced her with a kiss. She laughed against my mouth, then softened. Fingers sliding into my hair. Pulling me closer.
The sauce was simmering behind me. The garlic bread was probably burning.
I reached back. Turned off the stove.
"What are you doing?" Though the smile on her face said she already knew.
"Taking you to bed."
"But I'm hungry!"
