Page 6 of Curvy Girl and the Ex-Military Firefighter

Aunt Linda's eyes sweep over Max like she's appraising a piece of furniture. Her gaze lingers on his suit, military posture, and how his hand still rests protectively on my back.

"Well," she says, her red lips curving into what might be approval. "You must be the firefighter Emma's been hiding from us."

I resist the urge to roll my eyes. "I haven't been hiding him, Aunt Linda."

"Come in, come in." She steps aside, waving us into the house I practically grew up in.

The familiar scent of her famous pot roast hits me, and my stomach lurches. Not now.

Max's hand tightens slightly on my back as we enter, steadying me. He notices everything. Of course, he does – it keeps him alive in burning buildings.

"Jack!" Aunt Linda calls up the stairs. "Emma's here with her young man!"

I hear heavy footsteps above, and my heart rate kicks up another notch. Uncle Jack appears at the top of the stairs, his military medals displayed prominently on his jacket. Because, of course, he'd wear them today.

"So," Uncle Jack's voice booms as he descends the stairs, "this is the man who's stolen our Emma's heart."

Max's hand drops from my back as he steps forward, extending his right hand.

"Max Thompson, sir. It's an honor to meet you."

"Afghanistan?" Uncle Jack asks, eyeing Max's posture.

"Yes, sir. Three tours. 75th Ranger Regiment."

Uncle Jack's eyebrows shoot up.

"Rangers lead the way. I was 82nd Airborne myself."

"The living room is this way," Aunt Linda interrupts, ushering us forward. "I want to hear all about how you two met."

I sink into the familiar floral couch, Max settling beside me. His warm and solid thigh presses against mine.

"Well," Max starts, his voice smooth as honey, “It was at the Christmas Festival. I was helping set up the fire department's booth when I saw Emma laughing with her friend Autumn. I couldn't take my eyes off her."

Aunt Linda leans forward in her armchair. "And?"

"And I made a complete fool of myself trying to get her attention," Max chuckles. "Knocked over an entire display of fire safety pamphlets."

I blink at him. That part never happened.

"Love at first sight, then?" Uncle Jack asks, studying Max with military precision.

"For me, absolutely." Max's hand finds mine. "Emma took some convincing."

"Because he was such a flirt," I add, playing along.

The irony of how wrong I'd been about that makes my chest tight.

"Only with you, sweetheart." Max winks at me, and for a moment, I forget we're pretending.

"And now you're a firefighter?" Aunt Linda asks. "That must be dangerous."

"No more dangerous than teaching first graders," Max jokes, but Uncle Jack isn't smiling.

"Different kind of dangerous," he says. "Must be hard, going from one battlefield to another."

The room goes quiet. I feel Max tense beside me.

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