Page 21 of Falling Again For My Best Friend's Brother

As we rounded the corner, the monstrous inferno came into view. Waves of scorching heat washed over me, but nothing could burn as deeply as the fear that I might have just incinerated any chance I had with Amelia.

I tightened my grip on the truck's safety railing, leaning into the danger ahead. Because no matter how formidable this blaze might be, I had a sinking feeling that the real trial by fire was yet to come.

Chapter eleven

Amelia

Iwas in the middle of a particularly dramatic peony arrangement for a customer when my phone started to ring. Trevor's name flashed insistently on the screen. Part of me wanted to ignore it, still smarting from yesterday's Liam-induced tantrum, but curiosity—and maybe a smidge of lingering feelings won out.

"Amelia!" Trevor's voice crackled through the speaker, high-pitched and panicked. "Hero's gone AWOL. I've turned the park upside down. I can’t find him anywhere. I need your help!"

My annoyance with Trevor evaporated faster than spilled water on a hot sidewalk. Hero was missing. That fuzzy little troublemaker had somehow wormed his way into my heart.

“I'm on my way," I said, already flipping the 'Open' sign to 'Closed.' "Five minutes, tops. I'll post online to see if anyone's spotted him."

As I power-walked to the park, my mind raced faster than my feet. How had that little ball of fur become so important to me? And Trevor... well, that was a whole other can of worms. Yesterday's green-eyed monster moment had me wondering if he'd really changed.

I spotted Trevor by the park entrance, looking like a deflated balloon. "Any sign of our escape artist?"

Trevor shook his head, his puppy-dog eyes clouded with worry. "Nothing. I've checked all his favorite spots twice."

"Okay," I said, trying to sound calm. "Let's split up. I'll go through the park and circle back to the shop. You backtrack and check the playground area."

We spread out, weaving through the winding paths and groves of the park. "Hero!" I called out, my voice echoing off the trees. "Come on, buddy! There's a lifetime supply of belly rubs with your name on it!"

An hour later, I found Trevor slumped on a bench in front of the shop. His head in his hands, shoulders hunched in defeat. My heart clenched at the sight. I'd never seen him look so broken, so lost.

"Trevor?" I sat beside him. "Any luck?"

He shook his head, not meeting my gaze. "I'm sorry, Amelia. For everything. The way I acted with Liam, the jealousy... it was out of line."

Part of me wanted to dive headfirst into that conversation, demanding explanations and apologies with PowerPoint presentations and footnotes.

But one look at Trevor's face, and I knew now wasn't the time for our own personal episode of Dr. Phil.

"We'll have plenty of time for heart-to-hearts later," I squeezed his arm. "Right now, let's focus on finding Hero. He needs us."

Trevor nodded, dragging a hand down his face. "You're right. I just... I can't lose him. He's more than just a dog to me."

"I know." I squeezed his arm, offering what comfort I could. "We'll find him, Trevor. I promise."

He was quiet for a long moment, staring off into the distance. When he spoke again, his voice was soft, almost hesitant. "You know, back in high school, when I was going through some rough times, I got assigned community service at an animal shelter."

I stayed quiet, sensing this was one of those moments where silence spoke volumes.

"I was angry at the world, at myself. But there was this one Chihuahua they had named Taco. He'd been abused and abandoned. But despite everything, he still had so much love to give."

A ghost of a smile flickered across Trevor's face like a firefly in the twilight.

"Taco became my tiny, four-legged life coach. He taught me patience and compassion—and gave me a purpose when I felt useless. Leaving him behind when I joined the military... it was like leaving a piece of my heart."

I reached over, threading my fingers through his in silent support.

“When I returned to Rivermint Cove and started volunteering again, Hero was like déjà vu on four paws. One look at him was like the universe hitting the reset button. Second chances all around.”

I swallowed hard, feeling like I'd just glimpsed the real Trevor hiding beneath all that rugged firefighter exterior. Who knew he was hiding a heart softer than a marshmallow in a microwave?

"Trevor, I-"

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