Page 15 of Flames of Desire

“Definitely. Plus, it gives me stories to tell people, like right now.”

“Always a bonus,” I said, nudging him playfully with my elbow.

As we worked together, the kitchen filled with the rich aroma of sautéing garlic and onions. I found myself relaxing, enjoying the simple pleasure of cooking with Alex.

“Pass me the basil,” he said, and I handed it over. I watched as he expertly tore the leaves, releasing their fragrant scent. He was in his element, and it was a joy to witness.

“You know,” he said, turning to face me, a twinkle in his eye. “We make a pretty good team.”

I smiled, feeling a warmth spread through me that had nothing to do with the stove. “Yeah, we definitely do.”

As the pasta simmered and the sauce thickened, the kitchen grew cozier, filled with the comforting scents of dinner in the making.

"Can you grab the parmesan from the fridge?" Alex asked, stirring the sauce with a wooden spoon.

"On it," I replied, opening the fridge and pulling out the block of cheese. "Want it grated or shaved?"

"Grated, please," he said, giving me a quick smile.

I began grating the cheese. The grater made soft rasping sounds as I worked. "So, did you get the cat down?"

"Eventually," Alex said with a chuckle. It took some coaxing, but we managed. The owner was so relieved that she offered us homemade cookies, and they were fantastic."

"Lucky you," I teased. "Next time, maybe bring some for me at the store."

"Noted," he said with a mock salute, then added, "Dinner's almost ready."

We set the table together, the scent of freshly made pasta wafting into my nose. It was a simple meal, but it felt special—maybe because we made it together.

We sat down to eat, and as we twirled the pasta onto our forks, the conversation flowed easily. We talked about everything and nothing—work, friends, plans for the weekend. Alex told me more stories from the fire station, each one more outrageous and funnier than the last.

"Do you ever get tired of it?" I asked, genuinely curious. "The danger, the unpredictability?"

"Sometimes," he admitted, pausing to take a sip of water. "But it’s worth it. Knowing I can make a difference, help people—that keeps me going."

I nodded, understanding. "I admire that."

"Thanks," he said, his expression softening. "And I admire you. You’re always so composed, so driven."

I felt a blush rise to my cheeks. "You’re just saying that."

"No, I mean it," he insisted. "You’re amazing, Lily."

We quickly finished our dinner, and as the last dish was put away, Alex stretched, stifling a yawn. "I’m beat. What about you?"

"Yeah, it’s been a long day," I agreed, feeling a pleasant exhaustion settle over me.

He leaned against the counter, a slight smile playing on his lips. “You remember there's only one bedroom, right?”

I felt a flutter of nerves in my stomach, suddenly aware of how close we were. He must have noticed the uncertainty in my eyes because he chuckled softly. “Hey, don’t worry. I’ll take the couch. You can have the bed.”

My heart softened at his offer. “Alex, you don’t have to do that. We can both sleep in the bed.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure?”

I rolled my eyes, trying to mask my nervousness with a bit of bravado. “Just agree before I change my mind.”

His laugh sent a warm jolt through me. "Alright, you win. After you."

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