“I’m glad I ran into you, actually,” Jackie continued, as if “running into” me didn’t happen because of an emergency situation, but rather because we went to the same grocery store.“I’ve been meaning to ask you about your dating life. I mean, if it’s nottoo personal.”
She shot a glance at the guys clearing the scene and talking to the police. “They’re really something, aren’t they?”
“They are,” I agreed, my ears hot as I looked away for a second. “But yeah, no, we’ve been having fun. Picnics and talks and… Stuff.”
“Stuff?” Jackie turned back to me and I could see mischief in her eyes. “That sounds exciting.”
“I guess it is,” I agreed awkwardly. “Honestly, I’ve just been following your advice. Trying not to take things too seriously, you know? So far, it’s working out for me.”
“Mm, mm,” Jackie nodded. “That’s very good. Ah, you know, I wish I could still do all of that. Age really can get you down. Or just life in general. Could you imagine me dating a bunch of men in uniform now? Wouldn’t that be nuts? Sigh. To be a wild child again. You really should make the most of it while you can.”
I chuckled knowingly, wondering what kind of things Jackie got up to in her twenties. I couldn’t imagine her on any wild benders or doing anything particularly crazy. But then again, I didn’t really know much about her or her past at all.
“I’m sure settling down is worth it,” I said, thinking of her dogs and kids and husband. “Gives your life a lot of meaning, right? I mean, we all have to grow up sometime, don’t we?”
“Sometimes I wish it wasn’t so,” Jackie answered as she shook her head. “But don’t get me wrong, I love my family and my babies. I don’t regret them. Just wish there was some kind of switch you could flip to go back to the good ol’ days. Of course, I’d always flip it back…”
She trailed off, before smiling at me again. There was something forlorn in her voice, something nostalgic, but I couldn’t exactly place it.
“Anyway, I should get moving. I came to the mall for the pharmacy. Husband’s got a terrible cough. It’s been driving me up the walls.”
“I’ll see you later, then?” I said as Jackie wrapped me in a quick hug.
She pulled away with a nod. “Of course you will. I’m always around. Say hi to your suitors for me, will you?”
I laughed as she walked off, and turned my attention back to the scene. Beside the kiosk, the police were now talking to the owner, who was in tears. The small crowd had started to disperse with the excitement now wearing off.
Ash and Beck were already getting into the truck again, but Calder had turned away from it. My heart skipped a beat when I realized he was walking right up to me.
“Hi,” I said shyly when he reached me. “You guys did some great work here.”
“Ah, it’s what we do,” Calder answered, waving me off. He stood so close to me that I could smell the ash and soot on him. “Actually, I’m glad you’re here. I wanted to see if you wouldn’t mind coming by the station after your shift.”
“Of course,” I agreed instantly, my cheeks flush.
“Great,” Calder was smiling now, a look that made my knees feel weak. “See you then.”
He walked away, leaving me with butterflies in my stomach and a curiosity in my heart. I wondered if I was going to get another station-date, or if Calder had other plans. Whatever they were, I knew that they weren’t going to be boring.
13
~
Rhea
The rest of the day at work was far less exciting than the fire had been. By the time I was closing up the store, I was burning with anticipation for what would happen with Calder that night. I had a feeling that he was ready to dial up the intimacy, especially since he probably already knew that I had been with Beck and Ash.
Both of them had rocked my world in a way that I hadn’t thought possible before. But somehow, I was still dying to get behind Calder’s carefully curated walls. I wondered if he would hold back when we had sex, too, or if he would finally allow himself some freedom. I had tasted an appetizer of the animal that was hiding behind his composure, but I was craving more.
I wanted him to pin my arms above my head and have his way with me in whatever way his heart desired.
Focus, make sure you locked up properly,I thought, dragging myself out of my daydreams and back to the quiet mall. I checked the doors and looked through the window to see if I actually did switch off the lights. Somehow, I couldn’t remember anything that I had been doing; I’d been on autopilot for probably twenty minutes or so.
Luckily, my job wasn’t exactly rocket science, and even if I did make some minor mistake, it wouldn’t be the end of the world.The worst that could happen would be a write-up, and since it’d be my first, I wasn’t too worried about it.
Once I’d finished my checks, I forgot all about work, and marched to the exit with a song in my soul. I was nervous on top of the excitement, wondering if it would go well, if we’d have that same harmony that I’d gotten with Ash and Beck. If we didn’t, then I had no idea how I would deal with it.
When I reached the parking lot, I noticed a familiar motorcycle waiting in one of the closest spots. Curiously, I approached. I recognized Ash from the shape of his body, and I smiled when he removed his helmet and expertly shook his hair into place.
