“Hey Coopzilla, I gotta head to work,” Sawyer says, and the genuine regret in his voice warms me.
Cooper frowns, but only for a split second, his new puppy apparently beating out his affections for Sawyer at the moment. “That sucks. But okay. Come back when you’re not working. I finished the fire truck set.”
They go through their handshake, then Cooper throws his arms around Sawyer for a hug.
“See ya, Sawyer.” He picks up Chloe, throwing her half over his shoulder as he walks back to his bedroom, whispering something to the puppy that I can’t make out.
Outside on the front steps, Sawyer draws me in for another hug, sweetly kissing my forehead, then my lips. “Thank you for letting me join you two today, it was seriously awesome.”
I squeeze him a little tighter, not wanting our time today to end; it’s all been so magical.
“There’s a fundraiser for the fire department next month. My mom would probably babysit Cooper if needed,” he starts, drawing back slightly so he can look in my eyes. “I’ve always gone by myself, but this year…I really want to take you.”
My lips tip up. “Like, as your date?” I ask.
His thumb comes up to stroke my cheek lightly. “As my girlfriend.”
I let out a happy sigh, then think about the meager contents of my closet. “I have nothing to wear.”
“What about the dress from the calendar gala?”
Shaking my head, I reply, “That was Willow’s, I was just borrowing it. I’m not exactly a fancy dress kind of girl.”
“You would look beautiful in a sack,” he says, kissing me firmly. “But if we need to go shopping, that’s fine. I’ll even come in the dressing room and help zip you up.” He winks before kissing me again and then stepping back.
“Goodbye, Sawyer,” I say, my voice tinged with laughter. He waits until he reaches his truck to reply.
“Goodbye, girlfriend.” Then he climbs in the truck cab and drives off, leaving me with my heart melting into a puddle, right there on my front steps.
Gah, that man. For someone who claims to have never been in a relationship, he sure is winning the swoony boyfriend award right out of the gate.
Chapter twenty-five
Sawyer
This boyfriend stuff is easy.
When I picked Tori up today to take her shopping, I gave her a long, slow kiss right there on her front steps for anyone to see. Not that we were hiding it all that much before, but this time was different. She’s mine and I get to claim her in public. Case in point, here we are at the mall in Westport, her hand is laced with mine, and it feels so damn natural.
Why have I been so scared of this? Work hasn’t changed; my night shifts went smoothly, despite being busy ones. I was just as focused and in control as ever. Sure, when the guys were talking about the upcoming Summer Solstice Festival, I instantly pictured taking Tori and Cooper to it, but as soon as the alarm bells went off, I was all business.
Lying on my bunk in between calls last night, I tried to catch a nap, but my mind instead wandered to Lance. I’ve always blamed his relationship for being what led to his death. But maybe it wasn’t the relationship, but the end of it that was the problem. I mean, what person wouldn’t be affected by news that while they’re out fighting fires, trying to save people’s homes, their partner is screwing around on them. Because the truth I’ve conveniently ignored for so many years is that Lance was an incredible firefighter up until the end. He was dedicated, and a guy many looked up to. All while holding down a serious relationship. Hell, I remember him talking that summer about proposing to his girl.
It was her infidelity that distracted him, not his love.
Realizing that was like the final piece to the damn puzzle sliding into place. And suddenly, the picture became clear.
Me, Tori, and Cooper. Happy. Together. For a long fucking time.
Now, I might not be experienced in relationships, but even I know it’s a bad idea to go from casual sex to full-on commitment, so I’m keeping that to myself for now.
“What do you think of red?” Tori pulls me to a stop outside of a store, and I instantly know which dress she’s talking about.
“You make any colour look good, but that? That is a dress designed to bring grown men to their knees,” I say lowly into her ear. I love how reactive she is to my words as I feel her body shiver.
“So I should try it on, then?”
I simply drag her into the store as a response. A salesperson sees us and comes over, and I point to the dress in question. “She’ll try that one, please.”
