Page 14 of She's Got that Heat

“Yeah, yeah, yeah…” I laugh before taking a bite. Then Damon tells me a bit about the fire call, which apparently wasn’t very dangerous at all since they got there so quickly. A crispy dead tree too close to the open shed door when somebody was welding and throwing sparks, that’s all.

More important than the actual details is the obvious fact that Damon loves his work. He finds it fascinating. As a general contractor, he needs to know how things work, and what to do if anything goes wrong. He’s the same way with firefighting, obviously.

It explains why he needs to know what to do whenever I glitch.

Every reservation I’ve had about living up on the mountain disappears in a blink.

Damon really is perfect for me in every way.

9

DAMON

One thing about repetitive work is that it gives you plenty of time to think. As I nail and then mud a huge patch of drywall, I’m glad Allie seemed perfectly bright and healthy at our lunch.

If there was more time, I would have taken her to another restaurant, or even home to cool down with some air conditioning, but she seemed totally fine. No flush in her cheeks. No sudden paleness. No apparent dizziness, or the spaced-out look people often get when they have a headache.

It was a giant relief to me, since there was an air pressure shift right when we had lunch. Yeah, I might have downloaded a couple of apps that track these things, and I’m trying to fine tune them to our location.

I didn’t ask her whether she had the apps already. Didn’t ask her if she’s considered a wristband thermometer that would alert her when she gets overheated.

Is it really fair that I’m so worried about her? I mean, I’m trying to make sure she doesn’t worry too much aboutme.

I finish the job and get home late, but not too late to text Allie.

Hey, gorgeous. How was your second early shift? Better for beating the heat?

She responds in about five minutes, as I’m pouring myself a bowl of protein cereal for dinner.

Allie: Yes – so much better! And your magic chilly scarf really helped, too. Just had a quick shower, which is amazing for cooling down, and your trick with the fans has turned this apartment from a furnace to somewhere I can actually rest. Thank youuuuuu!

Good. I’m glad.

If it ever gets too warm or too cold, you know you’re always welcome to stay here.

Shit. Was that too forward? Being pushy is probably the worst thing I could do.

Allie: Thanks for the offer. I really appreciate it. Tonight I’m having an Official Boring Night.

You know I’m going to have to ask what that is…

Allie: LOL! It’s when I clean the apartment, have a shower, and then read quietly until bedtime.

And here I am, interrupting your reading time like a jerk.

Allie: I’ll forgive you. But only because that sandwich today was fantastic, LOL. Thank you again for bringing lunch.

Anytime. Well, I’ll let you get back to your book. Sweet dreams.

My thumbs hesitate over the keyboard, then I send a heart emoji.

She replies with a string of stars.

Not quite sure what that means, but it feels positive. Everything about Allie feels positive. She’s funny and light and everything just feelsbetterwhen she’s around.

Allie claims to be having an intentionally boring night, meanwhile I’ve been having them for years and didn’t even realize it. It’s like I’ve been half asleep and I’m just waking up now and realizing what my life has been missing.

Sorry – one more thing. May I please take you out on an official date tomorrow?

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