Page 28 of The Firefighter's Fate

Finally, and thankfully, he staggers away. Probably to hassle some other poor woman.

And I let out a sigh of relief.

Sometimes my big mouth lands me in deep trouble. I was really starting to worry I had just dumped myself in the boiling pot there.

I gotta just focus on Connor. I gotta focus on the job I’ve been sent here to do.

I gotta write a good article. I gotta somehow reconcile this loner with his billionaire family.

I gotta somehow work impossible magic.

I sigh again and bury my face in my hands.

I know I’m a good journalist, but I also know I can’t work freaking miracles...

My phone rings in my pocket. I slide it out and check the incoming call.

It’s my editor.

“Hello, Penelope.”

My boss sounds elated to find me alive.

“Haven’t heard from you in days, Ember! What’s going on? Are you there yet?”

“I’m here in Crystal River,” I say. “And I’ve made first contact.”

“How did that go?”

“Not pretty,” I reply.

“And? What is he like? Tell me more.”

I sigh for the hundredth time in this bar.

“I might have made first contact, but it’s going to be more difficult talking to Connor Penmayne than it is communicating with an outer-space alien species.”

“But you are going to do it?” she asks. “You’re going to get this interview?”

“You know me, Penelope. Of course I am.”

“Do you think he’ll talk back?”

“I have no choice,” I reply. “My job is on the line. There is no other way. Let me work on this man. I’m sure I’ll be able to win him over.”

“I hope so, Ember. Just be careful.”

“You know me, I’m always careful, Penelope.”

“You really aren’t, Ember. That’s what I’m so worried about.”

13

EMBER

I meet the girls at Crystal River's main park.

Ava and Olivia come together for this interview. They walk toward me across the park like an army readily approaching battle. It’s no wonder they’re arriving as one - I’ve read that they’re best friends from college and have been even closer since they’ve both got together with two of the Penmayne brothers. Olivia is the pretty girl I met at Spencer’s lecture hall at the university, but Ava is someone new to me. She’s tall. I can make it out even before she reaches me that she’s taller than me. And she is, simply, stunning. I don’t need to be up close to understand that. She is beautiful in an otherworldly supermodel sense. She has long platinum-blonde hair and smooth, perfect skin with full lips. The most interesting feature about her is her eyes... one is blue and the other one green.

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