Page 5 of Saved By the Firefighter

I pull away from her and give her a hard frown, my words icy. "I'm no hero. Really. It's fine. Just a fucking tire."

Ellie's mouth slips open and she looks confused, even hurt by my sudden bite. She steps back with a nod. "Um, well, thank you."

I should feel satisfied that I've put a stop to this dangerous dance we were doing, but guilt gnaws at me instead. Part of me wants to apologize, to soften the blow, but I stamp it down. Gotta keep those old boundaries as solid as the ground under my boots. I know I was harsh shutting her down like that, but I can't let things go any further between us.

Without responding, I return to my apartment and go inside. After a beat, I think better of it and open the door to apologize because I didn't mean to sound so harsh. But Ellie is already backing into the street. A moment later, she drives away.

"Dammit," I grumble to myself, but I force the thoughts out of my head.

Marcus is my best friend, practically a brother. And Ellie is his little sister. As attracted as I may be to her, I have to respect those boundaries. I shouldn't have let that brief flirtation happen at all, so I need to be more careful from now on. No matter how her laughter echoes in my ears or how the morning sun catches in her brown hair, turning it into spun caramel. Ellie deserves someone uncomplicated, not a broken widower still haunted by the past.

As I close the front door, I feel a familiar ache of loneliness. But I push it down, focusing instead on getting Charlotte ready for school. I can't dwell on my own desires. My daughter needs me present and focused.

Chapter 3

Ellie

The scent of pine and the warm glow of fairy lights create a cozy ambiance in the rustic venue. We're putting together the final touches for Olivia and Asher's surprise engagement party. Wooden beams crisscross overhead, and mason jars filled with wildflowers sit on tables, casting soft shadows across the hand-carved chairs. The air buzzes with anticipation, as if the barn itself is in on the secret and can hardly wait to spring the surprise.

I'm hanging the last string of twinkling fairy lights, their delicate glow casting a warm ambiance across the room, when I hear my name called from across the space.

"Ellie, can you make sure the pictures are set up?" Clara calls out from where she's trying to fix a stubborn table cloth, her brows furrowed in concentration. Clara is Olivia's friend. I just met her today, but I can already tell we're going to get a long great—she's a ton of fun, her laughter infectious and her energy boundless.

"Got it," I shout back, jumping off a step stool and crossing the space. Marcus is around somewhere, probably grabbing the last of the food for the tables.

I reach a table near the entrance that has a large easel with a lovely photo of Asher, Olivia, and their baby, Mary. I pause to smile at them because they're the sweetest-looking family, their faces radiating pure love and contentment. I haven't met Olivia yet, but I knew Asher in high school since he's been friend's with my brother for so long. He used to come over to my house for dinner sometimes before I graduated and moved away from Cedar Ridge for college.

I arrange smaller photo frames around the guestbook on the table. Then I pause again to smile at another photo—a snapshot capturing Asher and Olivia in a candid moment, their eyes locked on each other. They appear to be hiking. Their faces radiate pure joy, and I feel a twinge in my chest at the sight of such unguarded love.

Marcus sidles up beside me, grinning at the photo, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Hard to believe our grumpy Asher helped make that cute baby." He leans in, his sandy hair catching the soft light as he smiles down at the picture. Marcus has always been the epitome of a protective big brother—sturdy and reliable like an oak tree, his brown eyes usually dancing with mischief or warmth.

I chuckle. "Yeah. I honestly thought he'd always be a bachelor since he can be a bit too gruff. But looking at these pictures, I don't even recognize him. He looks so happy. This Olivia must be some woman, and I can't wait to meet her."

"She definitely is."

"Is Mary coming tonight?" I ask, hopeful. I've been having baby fever lately since one of my colleagues keeps bringing her baby to the teacher's lounge in the morning. We all get to coo over him before his Daddy takes him for the day. I'm really not in a place to actually have a baby yet...but they're so cute I can't resist looking from afar.

"Nah, we decided to make it adults only. Let the big kids let loose for a change."

"Really? So, it's not because you told Asher and Olivia you had a girlfriend and wanted a double date night?" I raise an eyebrow, leaning my hip against the table.

Marcus chuckles, rubbing a hand across his jaw. "Guilty as charged. But hey, they bought it, didn't they?"

"Sure, but now you have to explain that you're a liar and actually single," I tease. "Unless..."

"No, no," he says quickly, then laughs. "I'm not hiding any secret girls. Too busy with work." His expression sobers, and he fixes me with a look, like he just realized something. "Why are you thinking about babies all of a sudden?"

I cross my arms. "Why can't I think about babies? I want a family someday."

His expression gets way more serious—borderline pissed—and his eyes narrow. "Are you seeing someone?"

I don't respond right away, making him squirm. Honestly, he's irritating me right now. Why is he so overbearing?

"Ellie."

"No, okay? Geez...you know, if I was dating someone it's none of your business. I'll invite you to the wedding, but—"

He steps closer, glaring into me so hard I get a bit concerned. "That's not funny," he says with a massive frown. "You're my little sister, and any guy you date needs my stamp of approval. With Dad gone, that's my job."

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