Dr. Shah shrugged. “I was just finishing a procedure when I heard.”
“That’s not necessary. You’ve had a long day—” But the gratitude on her face belied her words. She was happy he was there.
“Your daughter is in the burn unit, and you’re here. So I’m here.”
Dhillon extended his hand. “Thank you for coming.” He nodded at his mother. “It’s very much appreciated.”
Dr. Shah scrutinized Dhillon’s face. “You’ve been better.”
“I’m fine.” His throat was still scratchy from the smoke, but a pit had settled in his stomach. He turned behind him, but Riya was gone. She left because she felt responsible. As she should.
thirty-four
RIYA
Riya shoved on her helmet and started her bike. She had no destination. She just needed to be away from Dhillon and Hetal and all that she had caused. Her heart ached, her muscles hurt, and she was still covered in ash and sweat since she hadn’t even been able to shower before quitting her dream job.
It was no surprise that she ended up in front of Phil’s Place, where she and Dhillon had sung karaoke the night Lucky had died. Whatever. This place wouldn’t care if she still smelled like smoke.
She walked inside and sat down at the bar. The place was still open, but things were winding down. Annika greeted her with a smile.
“Hey, Riya.” She was irritatingly bubbly for the late hour.
“Annika.”
“You okay?” Annika stopped wiping down the bar when she heard Riya’s tone.
Riya shook her head. “Saw your fiancé tonight.”
Annika’s eyes widened, as she nodded her comprehension. “The chopper.” She studied Riya. “That’s happened before. Part of the job.”
“Yep. Part of the job.” That she didn’t deserve to have.
“Or not?” Annika poured Riya a beer. “Want to talk about it?”
Riya shook her head. What would she possibly say? Annika nodded and left Riya alone with her drink. The door jingled somewhere in the back of her mind, but Riya was deep in thought. What could she have done to keep Hetal from being burned? Every time, she came up with the same answer. She should have kept it real. Explained to Hetal the brutal reality of firefighting. Not told her how awesome it was to be a hero.
She vaguely registered someone pulling up a stool next to hers. For half a second, her heart lifted in the anticipation that Dhillon had come after her. But it was Daniel who sat next to her, grinning. As if Dhillon would ever forgive her for letting Hetal get hurt.
“Wow, I haven’t seen disappointment like that since I told my nephew I couldn’t buy him a car until he learned how to drive,” Daniel chuckled. “You were expecting that guy from the other night?”
Riya shook her head. “Doesn’t matter.” She turned back to sipping her beer.
As Annika came back over, Daniel said, “Well, word on the street has it that this woman—” he poked a thumb in Riya’s direction “—pulled a one-hundred-eighty-pound man out of a burning building tonight.”
“I’m not surprised.” Annika grinned at her.
“Nor should you be.” Daniel shook his head. “Riya is very good at her job.” He turned to his fiancée, his voice soft. “Hey, you.”
Annika grinned and leaned over the bar to kiss him.Ugh.They were so darn cute.
“Aren’t you on the chopper tonight?” Riya interrupted. She couldn’t continue to watch the goo. No matter how cute. It made her want it for herself, and she’d never have it now.
“I was covering until Rick came in.” He studied Riya, seeming to register her postfire appearance. “You okay? I thought you’d be at the hospital or still on shift.”
“Nope.” She was curt, as she forced away the burn of her tears. She instantly regretted it, softening. “Sorry about earlier this evening, the freak-out...”
Daniel waved it off. “Understandable. Even for those of us on the job. When it comes to people we love. We’ve all had our moments.” He glanced at Annika.
