Page 51 of Sparking Sara

I hear Aspen sigh into the phone. “Den, she’s engaged. And he’s there now. Don’t you think you’ve more than done your job?”

“She’s scared and she doesn’t know him, Pen.”

“She doesn’t knowyou.”

“I know. But she thinks she does. In some strange way, I think I know her, too. Maybe it’s because we were in the car together and we shared some of the scariest moments of our lives.”

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, big brother. I think you should talk to someone.”

“I have.”

“You … really? You have?”

“Someone from FDNY. And you know what he told me?”

“What?”

“That if I’m not hurting anyone and if I don’t have false expectations of how this will turn out, it’s perfectly fine.”

I can hear the cogs in her head spinning to try and come up with a rebuttal.

“Fine,” she says in her pouty voice. “But you better meet us after the game.”

“I will.”

“Sawyer wants to go out to some of his favorite places. I’ve cleared it with Bass and Ivy, and they’re lining up a sitter so they can come, too. Do you think you could find someone to bring along?”

I think about the last date I had three weeks ago. It was the sister of a guy over at Engine 38 where I’d worked a few shifts the week before. She was fun enough, but I didn’t ask her out again. I normally don’t. I’m not trying to be an ass or anything, but I guess Kendall kind of left a bad taste in my mouth. She left me after two years, even though she knew I was innocent of the crime I’d been convicted of. She left me because of the way she was treated by her friends and acquaintances. Like the girlfriend of a criminal.

Since then, I’ve just found it easier to go out on simple dates. Casual, fun, no-strings-attached dates.

I think of Nurse Tiffany. Maybe I should go get that number from Krista after all. But something about that doesn’t seem right, her being Sara’s nurse and all. Then I remember the admit nurse in the ER.

“I might be able to find someone,” I say, wondering if I have enough time to pop downstairs and ask Nora Goodwin to dinner before Sara comes back.

“Good. We’ll meet you at home tomorrow night around nine.”

“I’d prefer to meet you wherever we’re going if that’s okay.”

She laughs. “Don’t want the girl to know where you live?”

“Maybe I don’t want her to know whereyoulive. WhereSawyerlives—part of the time, anyway.”

“Right. Of course, thank you.”

“Text me with the place and I’ll see you then. I’ve got to run.”

“Bye, Den. Love you.”

“Love you too, Pen.”

I head downstairs to ask Nora out. I find her sitting at the ER admissions desk.

“Hi,” I say, after she finishes up with the woman she’s helping. “I’m not sure if you remember me—”

“Denver Andrews. You’re a firefighter,” she says with a sultry smile. “I never forget a face. Especially one as handsome as yours.”

I try not to roll my eyes.Get in. Get it done. Get back to Sara.

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