Page 29 of Heat Advisory

“Jay, that’s so awesome,” she said, reaching over to touch my arm in support.

Her hand felt like fire on my skin, although maybe that was just me since I wasn’t feeling a hundred percent.

“I’m so happy for you that it all worked out and you were able to become a firefighter like you always wanted.”

I was surprised and happy she’d remembered, which only made me realize how much she had cared and paid attention to our conversations.

By the time we reached the restaurant, I was feeling slightly better, which made my confidence a little too high that I’d made the right decision to keep our date.

As it turned out, there was some big event in town that night, which meant the restaurant was packed. Having never been here before and knowing that it was never packed full, I hadn’t thought to make a reservation. Yet another poor decision on my part.

“It will be about a thirty-minute wait.” The hostess gave us an apologetic smile.

I turned to Cora to see what she wanted to do, secretly hoping maybe she would just want to reschedule for another evening and I could just take her home and sleep the rest of the night away.

“Since the venue is nearby, I’m guessing every other place is going to be just as busy,” Cora said, and I knew she was likely right. “I don’t mind waiting, but…you don’t look like you want to stay.”

I didn’t want her to think I didn’t want to be here with her. I did. I just wished I felt better. Before I could answer her, though, it hit me all at once.

The unmistakable cold sweat, the certainty that I was about to throw up—immediately.

“I’ll be right back,” I muttered, already turning toward the bathroom before my body could betray me in public.

I barely made it in time.

I felt slightly better after getting it all out, but I knew I had to cancel. There was no powering through this. Plus, I couldn’t take the chance of getting her sick, too. I just needed to explain, apologize, and hope that me at least showing up tonight counted for something.

Bracing myself, I opened the door and nearly ran straight into her. She was standing right outside the bathroom, concern written all over her face.

“Jay, seriously, you don’t look so good,” she said, but that was as far as she got.

Between the shock, the lingering dizziness, and my body’s impeccable timing, everything went sideways. Literally.

I lurched forward, and before I could even register what was happening, I threw up again.

Right on her shoes.

And there went any hope I had of another date in the future.

11

“Fire is like an ex—loud, hot, and destined to burn you.”

—It’s science

Cora

I was living the dream…one bad decision at a time.

After Jay puked on my shoes during our second attempt at a first date, I helped him get back into his car and on his way home.

He told me how he knew he wasn’t feeling well, but he’d been afraid that if he’d cancelled the date, I would never give him a third chance. I understood that and even appreciated the fact that he cared so much to go through with a date when he didn’t feel well at all.

I drove his truck back to my apartment, and then he insisted on driving himself home instead of taking a rideshare that I recommended. Apparently he only lived five minutes from me, so he claimed it was no big deal.

After I made him promise to text me when he got back to his place safely, I settled in for the night. I called Iris and Hazel to fill them in on what had happened, and then I called Morgan. I filled her in on everything that had happened.

“Oh my God, I am going to give him so much crap for this,” she said, half laughing, half wheezing into the phone. “But as your bestie, I’m sorry this happened.”