Page 32 of Heat Advisory

I glanced around and saw that everyone was, in fact, still staring at us. I didn’t know what to do, but I also didn’t want to embarrass him. I also hated being the center of attention, and that was exactly what we were.

Think fast.

Just say yes, and then badger him with questions.

“Ummm. Yes, of course, I’ll marry you.” I gave the brightest smile I could conjure up, hoping it would appease everyone around us and then I could get to the bottom of what was going on once we sat back down.

However, in my mind, I guess I just assumed he would smile, stand back up, and we would sit back down.

Nope.

He smiled, alright.

And he stood back up.

But then he put his hands on the sides of my face and kissed me.

This was no simple kiss. The instant his mouth was on mine, it consumed me, just like it had when we were in high school. It was familiar, but also deeper and heavier, as though all those years of pent-up sexual frustration were colliding all at once.

Jay released me after rocking my world, pulling back only slightly to where I could feel his breath still on my lips. “Not bad for your last first kiss.”

What did he just say?

“Here. Have a seat,” he said, taking my hand and directing me back to my seat across from him in the booth.

He never let my hand go as we both sat. The cheers and clapping around us faded, and I stared at him.

My voice was just above a whisper when I asked, “Umm…do you wanna tell me what just happened?”

“I couldn’t have you leave yet.” His words were simple but hardly explained anything.

“Leave yet? What are you talking about?” Before he had a chance to respond, a tall man walked up next to our table and stuck his hand on Jay’s shoulder.

“Rainer, it seems congratulations are in order,” the man said, clearly knowing who Jay was.

The shock on Jay’s face came back, but with a different undertone.

“Uh, Assistant Chief Leavenworth,” he stuttered and then held out his hand to shake. “What are you doing here?”

“Having dinner with my wife, Clarissa.” The man pointed to the woman standing behind him.

“Congratulations, you two,” she said politely. “I assume you’ll be bringing her to the Firefighter’s Ball in a few weeks. It will be good to get to know you, dear.”

She said that last part to me. I had no idea who she was or what was going on, so I just politely nodded and smiled.

“Settling down is just the right step I like to see in my top commands,” Leavenworth said, jerking me out of my thoughts. “Hal and Sawyer both informed me you’re high on the list for fire investigator.”

“Uh, yes, sir,” Jay responded.

“You coming to the meeting Monday? You should,” the Leavenworth guy added.

“I’m not sure which meeting you mean, sir.”

“I’ll get Stetson to invite you,” he said, nodding at Jay. “You should be part of it. It’s virtual, so you can attend remotely while you work.”

“Uh, thank you,” Jay replied, a small smile on his face.

“I won’t take up any more of your special night. Congratulations,” he told us, and then he took his wife’s hand and walked away.