Page 16 of Mister Fireman

“You too, baby. Call me if you need me.”

We shared another kiss before Dejvi headed back into the station. The entire drive home, I had a smile on my face. That changed when I checked my phone and saw several email notifications. Not only had Gino taken his name off the lease, but he’d also taken me off our joint bank accounts. I wasn’t sure why I was surprised, but his actions surprised me. A part of me thought he’d come to his senses about the financial burden he was putting on me and at least offer to take care of things until I got a job. Clearly, that wasn’t going to be the case… especially after what happened with Dejvi.

I wanted to call him and go off, but what would have been the point in that? Instead, I went into the home we once shared and started filling out more applications. Without the safety net of that joint account, it was even more imperative that I found a job soon.

Two Days Later

“It’s the gap in your work history,” Felicia said into the receiver. She was the receptionist at the clinic I’d applied to and had an interview for this morning. I felt like they weren’t going to offer me the job when I left but still wanted to be hopeful. After she sent me the rejection email, she called, wanting to give me more of an explanation.

“I stopped working because I was…” I huffed. “My ex told me he wanted to take care of me.”

“Which is completely understandable. Unfortunately, they want someone that’s been actively working because they don’t want to have to retrain you like you’re new to this. I tried to explain taking two years off didn’t mean you’d completely forgotten all your training, but they decided to go with a woman who was currently working and looking for a clinic that was closer to her home. Plus, they’re looking at the fact that you’ll need to renew your license because it just recently expired.” Felicia sighed. “I know you didn’t ask for it, but my advice is to get those CEUs now before applying anywhere else and renew your license. Don’t tell them you can get it done quickly; get it done now. You’ll have a better chance of being hired then. And also, when you go in, if they mention the pause in your work history, be honest about the break. Don’t hold that back.”

“Okay, Felicia. Thank you for calling because I know you didn’t have to.”

“No problem at all.”

We disconnected the call as I pouted. Those ten hours for the CEU credits were going to be a drag, but I’d do them. I didn’t think I would run into this issue because it hadn’t been five years since I practiced, so my license isn’t technically inactive. However, I forgot about the fact that I’d have to get those credits and have the license renewed. I’d been so focused on securing interviews that it didn’t dawn on me to check and see if my license had expired until during the interview.

My doorbell rang, and I checked the camera app to see who it was. At the sight of Dejvi, I immediately smiled. He wasn’t the answer to my job prayer, but being in his presence would put me in a better mood. Since I’d taken off my suit after the interview, I was dressed in nothing but my black bra and panty set. He’d seen me in less, but there was something about this not being about sex that made me want to cover up. I grabbed a satin robe from the closet and wrapped it around me before going to the front door.

“Hi,” I greeted as soon as I opened it.

“Hey, love. How did the interview go?”

“They went with someone that’s currently working. That gap might be an issue. Plus, I need to get my license renewed. I might just look for something outside of nursing for right now.”

“Their loss. Something better is waiting for you. Rejection is redirection.”

For a while, all I could do was stare at him. That was what I’d been telling myself ever since Gino cheated and broke up with me.

“Thank you, bae. You off today?”

“Yeah, for the next four days, then I’ll go back in for three. Do you have plans for the rest of the day?”

“Not really. I was just going to hang with my sister.”

“Cancel that. I want to take you out on a date, and I don’t want to hear shit about you not being ready for a relationship.”

With a giggle, I told him, “I wasn’t going to say that. I actually want to spend some time with you.”

“Good. Dress casually, and I’ll pick you up at two thirty.”

“K. What are we doing?”

With a sexy smile, Dejvi gripped my waist and pulled me close. After pecking my lips thrice and sucking my bottom lip into his mouth, he told me, “You’ll see when we get there,” then kissed me again before walking away.

9

Dejvi

“Ah!” she whispered frantically before giggling. “This is so sweet, Dejvi. You’re spoiling me.”

“You said physical touch and gifts are your love languages, right?” Enjell nodded as she picked up the roses in the passenger seat of my Challenger and sniffed them. “Then get used to this.”

Along with the flowers was a small tray of chocolate covered strawberries from Supreme’s shop, but I planned to take her shopping before the actual date started. I needed to know her clothes and shoes sizes along with rings and style preferences. We talked about our days on the way to the mall, and I was glad she seemed to be in better spirits.

It would have been nothing for me to pay her bills, but I could tell this was something she wanted to do on her own. There was only so much I’d let her suffer through, though. As a man, it went against my nature to watch her stress over things I could easily handle. Out of respect for her, I’d give her the space to figure it out on her own. If I got to a point where I couldn’t take it anymore and she still wouldn’t let me help, I’d have to leave.

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