Page 15 of Curvy Girl and the Firefighter Chief

"You absolutely waddle," Kane speaks up for the first time, making everyone freeze in surprise before bursting into laughter.

"What about Stella?" Sadie asks, and I can hear the mischief in her voice.

I feel Luke's eyes on me, and my heart starts racing.

"A fox," he says finally, his voice low. "Smart, adaptable, and beau..." he stops himself, and I swear I can see a blush creeping up his neck.

"And?" Max prompts, smirking.

"And good at surviving against the odds," Luke finishes, but we all know that wasn't what he was initially going to say.

"Plus, they're known for their beauty," Sadie teases, making Luke choke on his drink while I feel my face heat up.

"Sadie!" Luke warns, but his daughter just grins unrepentantly.

"What? I'm just saying what everyone's thinking."

"I think that's enough animal assignments for one night," Luke says firmly, though I notice his ears are still red.

"Aw, come on, Chief," Danny whines. "We haven't even gotten to comparing Kane to a brooding lion yet."

Kane's deadpan "Try it" sends everyone into another round of laughter, and the conversation shifts to other topics.

I can't help stealing glances at Luke throughout the meal, thinking about foxes and grizzly bears and how well they might get along if given the chance.

And every time I catch him looking at me, too, and I wonder if he's thinking the same thing.

Chapter 7 - Luke

Max and Ashton clear the table while Damon and Shane are already at the sink, their usual bickering about proper washing techniques starting up. But my attention keeps drifting to the other end of the table, where my daughter is attempting to engage Kane in conversation.

Damn it. It hurts watching this, knowing Sadie's been carrying a torch for Kane for years. My second in command, one of my best friends, and completely unavailable emotionally.

I should talk to her about it, help her move on, but how? I've never been good at these conversations, not since her mother walked out without even leaving a note. I've tried my best as a single dad, but some talks are more complex than others.

There was a time I thought Kane might have feelings for her, too, but that hope died quickly when I overheard him telling Max he wouldn't consider relationships until he was done being a firefighter—which, knowing Kane, means never.

My eyes drift to Stella, and my chest tightens. She's playing with her hair absently, looking somehow both out of place and perfectly at home in our chaos.

She handled dinner beautifully, matching wits with my men, making everyone laugh, fitting into our dysfunctional family like she was meant to be here.

I want to keep her here, but that means actually talking to herandtelling her how I feel, even though we just met. How do you tell someone they've completely upended your world in less than twenty-four hours?

"Dad? Dad! Earth to Chief Harrison!"

I start as Sadie nudges my ribs with her shoulder.

"Sorry, just thinking about the ball next week," I say.

"Well, stop thinking and start acting," she says pointedly. "Stella's tired. You should be a gentleman and help her upstairs."

I look at Stella – her eyes are heavy-lidded, her face a bit paler than before, but she's still wearing that gentle smile that makes my heart race.

"I'm fine," she protests weakly. "You don't need to get up. I'm sure you have things to take care of."

I'm on my feet before she finishes speaking.

"I'll help you up. You're still recovering."

---