Page 62 of The Firefighter's Fate

“I think I understand,” I reply. “I know it’s out of my turn to tell you this, but I think your father really cares about you.”

Connor scoffs.

“I think that’s a very naïve take, Ember.”

“I saw how he speaks about you, back at his office in the city when he sent me here.”

“He’s a smart and charismatic man, Ember,” Connor replies. “He can have you believing anything he wants you to believe. He’s a skilled chameleon. He knows how to act better than my Hollywood superstar brother. He may say the nice words, but he’s got other intentions.”

“You really think that?” I ask.

“I know so,” Connor replies.

“So there is no way you can reconcile with your father?” I question.

“There are things he would have to do to make me reconsider our relationship,” Connor mutters, staring into his cup. “He would have to be prepared to meet me halfway.”

“Life is short, Connor,” I whisper sincerely. “I wish I knew my father. I’d probably slap him if I ever met him, but I would like to sit down with him and just talk it all out.”

“Where’s your father now?” Connor asks me.

“He died,” I reply. “A long time ago and a long way away from me. I didn’t know him. My mom is a nurse who traveled the world. She raised me on her own. She pushed me into journalism. Now she’s retired, and she does her own thing. Now she’s traveling the world again on her own terms, while I do exactly the same.”

“That sounds like an amazing life,” Connor remarks. “For both you and your mother.”

“Yes, it is.”

“And what about men for you, Ember?” he asks. “You have anyone back in the big city?”

“Now you’re the one interviewing me, Connor.”

He shrugs.

“I just want to know,” he replies.

“There aren’t many men who understand my life,” I say.

Connor smiles. A nice, genuine smile.

“I bet there isn’t,” he says. “I bet there aren’t many men who match what you’re looking for. I can understand that.”

We both stare at each other.

Sparks are flying. There’s something undeniable between us.

We could even kiss...

But I really shouldn’t. Not with the man I was sent to interview.

But he looks so incredible. My body is pushing me toward him. Everything inside of me is aching for him.

And yet I can’t do this. I know I can’t.

Connor is still staring at me. And I’m still staring at him.

At his chiseled face. At his rough beard. At his full lips.

I need to find a way out of this.

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