“I am. Thank you again.”
“Anytime. I’m just glad you’re okay and glad I happened to be there pretty quickly.”
“Now that I know I’m allergic, I have to worry about getting stung again,” she pointed out.
“Just carry an EpiPen.”
“For real?” she pressed.
“Yeah. You can jab yourself.”
Her eyes went wide. “That’s what most people do?” At my nod, she wrinkled her nose. “Sheesh.”
“Getting stung by an insect isn’t that common, all things considered. If I happen to be around, I always have one on me,” I pointed out.
“Are you allergic to something?”
“I’m a firefighter and first responder, so I keep those kinds of things around.”
“Not a bad habit to have.” Her lips curled a little at the corners.
“Well, because of that habit, I had one that afternoon.”
She giggled. “Bella thanks you too.”
“Your dog is an absolute sweetheart. How is she?”
“She’s good. She’s old.”
“Old dogs are the best, aren’t they?”
“Yeah.” Tori’s smile was bittersweet. “Absolutely. She likes to nap. She likes the sunshine. And, she likes me.”
“All good things,” I offered lightly.
“Hey, hey, hey,” a voice interjected.
We glanced over together to see Beck and Maisie approaching. I might’ve only been in town for a little while, but Beck was easy to become friends with. Of course, I also knew Maisie well. She was the main dispatcher at Willow Brook Fire & Rescue.
“How’s it going?” Beck said when they stopped by the table.
“Good. You?” Tori returned.
Beck tilted his head to the side, considering her question seriously. “Pretty good. Except we didn’t sleep last night.”
“Oh, yeah?” Tori’s brow furrowed.
“Two kids with colds. Misery.”
“Oof,” Tori said.
“That’s the only negative thing I’ve ever heard you say about being a dad,” I teased lightly.
Maisie sighed. “Sick kids aren’t great. We try to trade off, but you sleep like shit no matter what.”
I studied him. “You actually look tired, Beck.”
He met my gaze and let out a sharp sigh. “Fucking exhausted, man. But we’re gonna get coffee, and it’s all good.”
