I clench my jaw. “You done?”
“Almost.” Hollywood grins wider. “She’s cute, though.”
“Hollywood.” My voice is sharp like the edge of my badge.
He lifts both hands. “Relax, Chief. I know she’s off-limits. Besides, I like my women old enough to drink.”
Bear snorts into his coffee. “Whole town knows how he likes his women.”
“That's ‘cause he's had most of them,” Phoenix says with a chuckle.
I push away from the counter and head for my office, ignoring the heat crawling up my neck. I’ve had tougher fires to fight than this, but none that got under my damn skin like she does.
The door shuts behind me with a click. Finally, quiet.
For a second, I just stand there, staring at the paperwork on my desk. Reports, training schedules, budget requests. All of it meaningless noise when my brain’s stuck on her face at the restaurant.
The way she looked at me with hurt in her eyes, but defiance in her tone. She was done.
I should’ve left it alone. Should’ve left her alone.
Tinsel hangs over the bookcase, and the mistletoe she left lies there useless, collecting dust. A bit like me.
My phone buzzes.
I glance down, expecting a text from my son asking if I’ve transferred the money yet. Instead, it’s a message from my sister.
Ember: You okay, big bro? Drake says you’ve been grumpier than usual.
Ember: Sera stopped by earlier to borrow a screwdriver. Something about fixing a fuse. I said I’m sure Flint will help you out with whatever you need fixing and she refused (pun intended, lols). Has something happened?
My heart does a weird flip in my chest. I stare at the screen too long before tossing the phone onto the desk.
“Damn it.” I sink into the chair, scrubbing my hand over my jaw. She needs help and, because of my actions, doesn’t have anyone to give her a hand.She gave you a hand the other night.
I’ll ask one of the guys to stop by tomorrow and see if she needs help with anything.
“Chief?” Hollywood pokes his head in, holding a clipboard. “Got the inspection schedule for next week. You want me to add Dockside Grill to the list again?”
I throw a pen at his head. “Get out.”
He laughs all the way down the hall.
I rub my temples, trying not to smile.
Hell, maybe I deserve their teasing. Maybe it’s the only thing keeping me from driving back to that damn restaurant just to see if she’s working tonight.
As much as I tell myself to forget her, every time I close my eyes, she’s right there. Laughing. Blushing. Calling me Chiefy. And damn it, I liked it too much when she called me that.
The tones dropthrough the station like a siren slicing through my skull.
“Structure fire reported—one-two Harbour Lane. Possible occupant inside.”
My heart kicks hard against my ribs.
Harbour Lane.
I shove back from my desk, coffee spilling over a stack of inspection reports, and sprint for the gear bay. “Let’s move, people.”
