Page 30 of Fall at Once

Icky.I nodded my agreement with a smirk as she pulled out a tablet and added it to a list she’d already started. I tried to take a peek, and she pulled it to her chest with a shake of her head.

“No peeking. We need party favors to sell. How about a Cozy Creek Fire Brigade calendar? Featuring twelve of your most smokingly hot fire dudes.”

“No way.”

“Do you want to make some serious money for the station? Or whatever you’re raising it for.”

“Of course I do.”

“What is the money going to, anyway?”

“Gear, food for the station, various charities we sponsor, station tours for kids—they love stickers and those plastic fire hats—the holiday pancake breakfast, a bunch of stuff. I could email you the itemized list from last year if you think it would help.”

“No, that’s okay, I don’t need it. Oh! We could create trading cards with your pictures on them. Think of the kids in their little hats, Cole. Kids love trading cards, and their mothers would too—I’m just saying.”

“Do you really think those would sell?”

“I’ve been here a little over a week and noticed two thingsthis town loves more than anything. Carbs and eye candy. Do you know how much attention you and the rest of the Fire Brigade attract when you’re at Gigi’s, drinking your smoothies and eating those sad little egg-white breakfast sandwiches? Plus, tell me you’ve seen all the heads in town whipping to the side whenever one of you jog by on the park trail.”

I flattened my lips together so I wouldn’t laugh. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Sure you don’t. Okay.” Her eyes shifted to the side as her lips pursed to stifle a laugh. “I’ll humor you on the off chance you really don’t notice. Try paying attention next time you are out for a run, and you’ll see it for yourself. I can promise you that. Trust me, anything with your pictures will sell like hotcakes.”

“Okay, maybe I just don’t want to pose for any pictures, and at least half of the guys won’t either.”

She laughed. “Fair enough. But you have to admit, selling a firefighter calendar is pretty standard. Lots of firehouses do it.”

“Fine, you’re right. I’ll talk to the guys but don’t count on it. And no trading cards. I do not see that happening at all.”

“How about a wet T-shirt contest, then? You could all wear those cute pants with the suspenders hanging down and your blue Cozy Creek Fire Brigade T-shirts.” Her eyes lit up with mischievous, smug delight as she awaited my reaction.

Shocked, I burst out with a startled laugh. “No. Not happening. No way.”

“Dunk tank?” Her head tilted to the side speculatively.

I crossed my arms over my chest. “Nope.”

“Shirtless car wash?”

“Oh god, no.”

“I know. I think I have it this time.”

I bit my lip and shook my head from side to side as I waited to see what ridiculously hilarious suggestion would come out of her mouth next. “What is it? Come on. Don’t hold back on me now.”

“We could line you all up and auction off a chance to spray you down with the fire hose.”

I threw my head back with a laugh. “You are oddly determined to get us all wet, aren’t you? What would Gigi think?”

“Oh, please, half of this was her idea. The woman is shameless, and so are her friends. Do you think she started serving protein smoothies and healthy breakfast options with no ulterior motive? Nope. She did it to get you guys into the Confectionery every day. But listen, I was joking about most of those suggestions.” She grew momentarily serious. “Please, tell me you know that.”

I covered her hand with mine. “I know. Don’t worry.”

Her eyes twinkled mischievously in the sunlight as her lips tipped up at the corners. “I bet the calendar idea looks pretty good now, right?”

“Okay, fine,” I answered with a chuckle. “We’ll do the calendar. It’s the most normal thing you’ve suggested so far.”

“Yay!” She tugged her hand away and held it up for a high-five.

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