Page 41 of Engulfing Emma

“Oh, really?” Kelly asks. “How did it come about that the two of you met up? Did he call to check on you?”

“I took muffins to the firehouse.”

Lisa muffles a squeal. “Youlikehim!”

“I don’tlikehim. I wanted to thank all of them, and he was there.”

“Oh, he just happened to be there,” Becca says suspiciously.

“Yes,” I say, not offering that I’d called ahead to make sure.

“And how many times have you seen him?” Lisa asks.

“Three.”

“Holy shit,” Becca says. “When should we plan the wedding?”

My jaw goes slack. “Stop it. We aren’t dating. We aren’t doing anything.”

“But you want to,” Michelle says.

“No, I don’t,” I force myself to say. “He’s a fireman.”

“Uh, yeah,” Rachel says. “Why the hell wouldn’t you want to date a hot, hunky fireman who’s a hero?”

Everyone else at the table stares Rachel down until she gets it.

“Oh, God. I’m sorry, Emma. I forgot about your dad. I didn’t mean to be so insensitive.”

“You’re not. It’s fine.”

“Are all firemen off limits?” Rachel asks. “As in you won’t dateanyof them?”

“Pretty much. It’s not worth the risk.”

“Does that mean you wouldn’t date a cop, a marine”—Jordan bites his lip in thought—“a lion tamer?”

“I hadn’t really thought about it, but I guess not.”

He looks at me in disappointment. “You’re really narrowing your chances, there, Emma. Why would you let someone’s occupation get in the way of true love?”

“There are plenty of guys out there with safe jobs,” I say. “You, for instance. Being a teacher is safe.”

He snorts. “Unless you count what happened to you and Becca.”

“Okay, fine. You’ve got me there, but that was a one-in-a-million thing.”

“How come I’ve never seen you get all dreamy-eyed over a teacher?” Lisa asks. “For that matter, how come you don’t date teachers? Oranyone?”

“Would you quit it with the dreamy eyes? And I date.”

Six pairs of eyes look at me like I’m full of shit.

“What?” I ask.

“You don’t date,” Kelly says. “You fuck.”

My chin hits the table for the second time tonight. “Do you have to be so crude?”

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