Page 22 of Holiday Flame

“No, it’s not. I…” She turns to Mabel. “Could you give us the room?”

“Of course.” Mabel gives a tight-lipped smile to me as she walks past me. However this whole thing started, apparently I’ve at least done enough to garner some sympathy.

I follow Jade into the room and she closes the door behind me.

“Remington,” she says again, her voice choking on the word. “I hardly know where to start.”

“Maybe at the beginning.”

“Okay.” She nods. “I can do that.”

Taking a deep breath, she launches into a rushed, jumbled story. It involves cocktails and text threads. Only parts of it make sense.

But the gist I take away is that Jade is still a virgin. And when she came back to town and saw me, she decided I would be the perfect man to have take it. Because of my reputation.

“I see,” I say, my throat aching. “So, you just wanted a physical relationship.”

“Yes. No.”

“Which is it?”

“Yes, that’s how this all started. But that was before I got to know you.”

“And now that you know me?”

A tear slips down her cheek, breaking my already fragile heart. “Now, I want more. I want?—”

My phone rings the tone I have set especially for my boss. Swearing under my breath, I apologize to Jade. “I have to take this.”

I step aside and answer.

He doesn’t mince words. “Remington, it’s Calloway.”

“Hey, boss.” I dart a glance at Jade, who is still fighting back tears. Her pain is like a punch to my gut. “It’s not really a good time. Can I call you back in the new year?”

“Sorry. No can do. Swift Mountain Fire & Rescue called.”

That grabs my attention. “What’s going on?”

“There’s a situation developing on a property outside of town. They need our help.”

NINE

JADE

My ears are still ringing. It’s as if I’ve stumbled into a room of people shaking strands of jingle bells.

“Wh—what did you say?” I ask, my voice shaky.

“I have to go on a call.” Remington squeezes my hand.

My heart sinks to the ground and fractures into a million pieces. “But it isn’t wildfire season.”

“It isn’t a wildfire.” When I’m still shaking my head, he gives a tight-lipped smile. “We’re sometimes called in to help the Swift Mountain crew when they need it.”

“But it’s New Year’s Eve.”

His face falls. “I know. I’m sorry to leave you without a date. But it’s the holidays and they need me.”

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