Page 7 of Curvy Girl and the Ex-Military Firefighter

"The nightmares are different," he admits after a moment. "But saving lives helps. Gives purpose to everything we saw over there."

Uncle Jack nods slowly. "And Emma? She understands about the job?"

"She's my anchor," Max says, and the sincerity in his voice makes my eyes burn. "After a bad call, just hearing her voice..."

"And your family?" Aunt Linda interjects. "What do they think of Emma?"

My stomach drops. Here it comes.

"I grew up in the system," Max says, "But Emma's shown me what family really means."

"Oh, you poor dear." Aunt Linda's expression softens. "No family at all?"

"The fire department is my family. And now Emma."

I must bite my lip to avoid blurting out that he's about to have more family than he bargained for.

"Well," Uncle Jack stands, "let's move this to the dining room. Linda's pot roast is getting cold."

The mere mention of food has my stomach rolling again. Max notices – of course he does – and squeezes my hand.

"Actually," I manage, "could I use the bathroom first?"

"Of course, dear," Aunt Linda waves toward the stairs. "You know where it is."

I practically bolt from the room, leaving Max to handle their curious stares. As I close the bathroom door, I hear Aunt Linda ask, "So, Max, what are your intentions with our Emma?"

Great. Just great.

Chapter 4 - Max

Emma practically sprints up the stairs, leaving me alone with her aunt's loaded question hanging in the air. I've faced insurgents with less intimidating stares than the ones I'm getting right now.

"My intentions?" I straighten my tie, buying time.

Truth or the rehearsed story we'd planned?

Hell with it. Truth.

"I love her," I say, watching Uncle Jack's eyebrows shoot up. "I know we haven't been together long, but when you know, you know."

Aunt Linda leans forward in her chair. "And marriage? Children?"

The question hits like a gut punch. Just this morning, I was thinking about asking Emma to make this fake relationship real. Now, she can barely look at me.

"I'd marry her tomorrow if she'd have me." The words come out before I can stop them. "As for kids—"

A thud from upstairs cuts me off. I'm on my feet before I realize I've moved, military training kicking in.

"Emma?" I call up, already heading for the stairs. "You okay?"

No answer.

"Second door on the right," Aunt Linda says, but I'm already halfway up.

The bathroom door is closed. I rap my knuckles against it, trying to keep the worry out of my voice.

"Sweetheart?"

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