I didn't take you for the superstitious type.
I'm not, generally, but I've been a firefighter for three decades and it's just a fact I can't explain that if you say it's a slow day, you'll get slammed, and if you say there's been no major calls, you'll get one.So I may not be superstitious as such, but I don't tempt fate.
Makes sense.
Have I mentioned how unbelievably gorgeous you are?I saved those photos to a hidden folder just to be safe, but trust me when I say I'll be looking at them every chance I get.
Well hopefully you'll be able to look at the real thing every chance you get.In person, I mean.
Nothing would make me happier.
You're sexy as hell, Noah.I know I sometimes have a funny way of saying things like that, but it's true.You're hot as hell, and I’m one lucky bitch.
Awww shucks.
Hey, that's weird.
Noah: What is?
I don't have any sexy pics of you yet.Hint hint.
Not a lot of privacy in a fire station, but I'll see what I can do.
You're pretty sexy in your uniform.Doesn't have to be spicy.Yet.
My phone buzzes a few minutes later, and I tap to enlarge the photo he sent me.He's in a bathroom facing a mirror, wearing blue slacks and a tight blue Tomlin Falls FD T-shirt, a leather harness across his chest and around his waist, his radio clipped to his shoulder.His arms are thick and rippling with muscle, stretching his sleeves to the point of absurdity.
Yummy.When are you done?
Unfortunately, not for a while yet.There's a stomach bug going around the station, and several of my guys are out sick, so we're running short-handed, which means I have to stay.Wish I had a better answer for you.
It's okay.It's your job.Have you eaten any real food yet?I could bring you something.
The delay in his response has me second-guessing my offer.A minute becomes two, then five, then fifteen.I try to tell myself he got a call but it's hard not to wonder if it was too much too soon.
I tell myself to wait.Don't be needy.
"Mom?"Mal's voice comes from behind me, startling me so badly I bobble my phone and almost drop it.
"Jesus, Mal," I say, gasping."Holy hell."
She snickers as I turn to face her."Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."
I set the phone aside and focus on my daughter."What's up, buttercup?"
She and I have been ships in the night today—she spent most of the day holed up in her room working on an essay, only coming out to switch her laundry.I had a few hours' worth of lessons earlier in the day and then my own list of chores to do, which fortunately kept me busy enough I didn't go crazy.
What I haven't done is face my feelings surrounding what Noah wanted to do, something I can't even think about directly without hyperventilating, which just tells me how badly I need to face it.I'm just chicken, I guess.
The point is, this is the first opportunity we've had to talk.
Mallory grins at me."So.You and Coach Austin?"
I feel myself grinning hopelessly, and blushing."Yeah, I think so."
She grabs me by the arms and squeals."Mom!Do you have a boyfriend?"
"I don't know about that, Mal.It's…it's early.We're still sort of figuring things out."
