“How about the day after Rakshabandan?” His eyes on hers were intense. “Before sunrise?”
“Sure.” Riya forced a small smile.
“Great.” He held her gaze for a moment. “I really have to go.”
“Sure. Yeah. See you later.”
Riya stared at the space he’d left. Varsha Masi was at her side in a minute, watching him walk down the corridor to the elevator. She raised one eyebrow and gave a slight head-bob that spoke volumes.
Riya ignored her. She needed to get to the firehouse to get her job back.
The sun was setting when Riya rolled up to the station on her motorcycle. She’d gone home to change out of her by-then-grimy dress and don her usual shorts and tank top. Butterflies seemed to have taken up permanent residence in her belly. She took her time dismounting, removing her helmet and laying it on the seat.
The guys were out cleaning the rig, laughing and joking with each other. It wasn’t just a job to them; it was a way of life. A way of life she loved.
Not having it for these past few days had made her rethink the whole thing. There was more to firefighting than saving people. Saving people was important, but that couldn’t happen if she didn’t have a team, if she didn’t have her colleagues’ backs, and they didn’t have hers. Dhillon had been right about that. She could do the job, no doubt, but part of the job was trusting others, and being there so they could trust you. Working as part of a team was a strength, not a weakness.
She’d quit in a cloud of guilt and regret. It had been hasty, and she wished she hadn’t done it.
She inhaled.Time to do this.She walked with purpose, entering the bay as if she’d never left. Evans was there, as were Alvarez and Schultz. No sign of Walsh.
Evans and Alvarez nodded at her, but it was Schultz who approached her. “Hey. Nice work this afternoon.”
She nodded, flicking her gaze over Evans and Alvarez as they pretended to work. “Thanks.”
“Come to pick up your check?” Evans gave her the side-eye. Of course he’d be pissed. He’d spent quite a bit of time giving her extra training, working with her on new techniques and equipment. Not once had he doubted her or indicated in any way that she was less than because she was a woman.
“Uh, no.” Her apologies had to start here. “Actually, I came to beg Ambrose for my job back.”
“You’re doingwhatnow?” Alvarez turned to her.
“I shouldn’t have quit. It was impulsive and done in the heat of the moment. But I miss being on the job.” She paused. “It’s the only job I ever really wanted, but I didn’t get that until I didn’t have it anymore.” She sighed. “You guys have always been good to me, had my back, and I let you down. Even Ambrose, being the pain-in-the-butt hard-ass that he is, was only trying to make me a better firefighter. I was too caught up in myself to even see that.” She paused. “I’m sorry I bailed on you.”
The guys nodded. Evans had a small grin on his face. Not exactly what she had been hoping for.
“Desai.” Ambrose cleared his throat behind her.
She closed her eyes and shook her head, a smile spreading across her face. When she opened them, she said, “Ambrose was behind me the whole time?”
All three broke out in victorious grins. “Pretty much,” Evans nearly cackled.
She turned to face her lieutenant. “Lieutenant Ambrose.”
His face was devoid of emotion. Great. “Not bad work today...for a civilian.”
“With all due respect, sir, I’d rather not be a civilian anymore.”
His hard gaze never wavered. “You’ll have to talk to the captain.”
Riya nodded. With a glance back at the guys, she followed Ambrose back to the captain’s office. He did not turn around, offering nothing in the way of support. Riya’s hands were sweaty, and her stomach was fluttery. She was more nervous than she ever remembered being. What if Captain Davis wouldn’t let her come back? She wanted this more than anything, and it had taken losing it to realize that. Like how losing Dhillon had only made her realize how much she really loved him.
Ambrose sauntered right back to the captain’s office and knocked, opening the door without waiting for a response. He held the door for her to pass through, then closed it with a soft click after he entered behind her.
“Desai,” her superior greeted her from behind his desk.
“Captain.”
“You should know that charges are moving against Ian Walsh, and he is no longer part of this department.” Captain Davis sat up in his chair, leaning toward her. “You should have come to us right away. I do not tolerate that kind of behavior—not for one minute.”
