“Uh-huh.”
“What? I still like sex. Grow up.”
“Please, never say that again.” I give her a piece of bark. “Are you having fun at least?”
“I am. This is amazing. You should be really proud. Mom would be proud.”
I look down and shake my head. “Yeah.”
“Maybe not with this slutty apron, but she’d be proud nonetheless.”
The buzzer sounds. “Thank fuck.”
“I’m the hottest date you’re going to get tonight.” I gag as she slaps my arm. I think she’s going to leave but instead she hugs me from behind, looping her arms around my neck andkissing the side of my head. “Seriously. This is incredible. You’re incredible. I’m so happy for you. You deserve this.”
My eyes prick with heat. “Love you.”
“I love you.” I lose her arms as someone else drops into the seat. Then I look up and Ammon smiles at me. “Hello again, stranger.”
“Hey.” Fuck, my face is hot.
“Your sister?”
“Oh.” I laugh and nod. “Yeah. Are you having fun?”
“Oh yes. Much more now.” He takes a piece of bark, his eyes brightening as he bites. “Wow, this is incredible. And those brownies.” He kisses his fingers. “My compliments to the gorgeous pastry chef.”
“Thank you.”
“While I love playing games, I know that two minutes won’t be enough time for me to get to know you. Do you want to hang out after this? My night’s free. I don’t work tomorrow either.”
I swallow, looking down. I could do it. I could take him upstairs and fuck him and move on with my life. Or I could hope he might want to keep talking to me without sex at first, and maybe that feeling will grow... But right now, I don’t feel much. There’s no spark. Ammon is handsome, kind, and a fucking firefighter, and I just feel nothing. No zing.
I’m tired of trying to force something that isn’t there.
Why am I so picky? It’s a dumb feeling I’m chasing, when stability could be right in front of me in the form of a very hot firefighter. I could at least try. “Sawyer?”
“Oh um. Well, I?—”
“Oh damn.” He chuckles, scrubbing a hand on his beard. The warm brown of his cheeks deepen in color. “Read that kind of wrong, didn’t I?”
“No, you didn’t. At least I don’t think so. I mean, I like talking to you and you seem very nice.”
“Nice? Ouch.”
“No, what I mean is?—”
Buzzz
“Time’s up.” I lift my head at the deep voice and see Aiden standing over the guy glaring down.
Ammon looks between us and gives me a soft smile. “Understood.” He gets up. Ammon’s barely out of the seat when Aiden drops into it with a thud.
“Leave me alone Aiden. I get it. You don’t give a shit about anything, anyone, especially what happened last week. I get it, alright? I fucked up and felt like it was more when you never said it was. Actually, no, Aiden. You’ve explicitly told me you hate relationships, so why the hell I thought I was different, I have no clue. That’s my fault.”
“Are you done?” he asks.
“No. Screw you. You had to know I felt something. You let me fuck you then you left without a word. Just like that. Fuckingthanks.After everything!? Are you kidding Aiden!?” The buzzer sounds.
