Page 13 of Burn for You

“We’re having a cookout at the firehouse on Saturday,” Seth continued. “It’s a small fundraiser, nothing major. The money goes to local families in need who have lost their homes to fire. It would be a great way to meet people in town, introduce yourself. Maybe give folks a chance to see you as a real person instead of a professional for a change.”

I studied him for a moment. Seth’s gaze met mine, with a hint of earnestness, but there was an unguarded, vulnerable honesty, too. The date was only part of his offer. He was giving me a chance to settle in, to make connections. I was new here, with no friends, no family, no one to lean on in the midst of this unsettling business with the arsonist.

But Seth was opening the door to the community he called home.

I ducked my head and poked at my ice cream.

“I’d…like that,” I admitted, haltingly.

Seth grinned.

“That wasn’t so hard now, was it?”

“Don’t make me change my mind. Bragging isn’t attractive.”

His eyebrows shot up. I wished I could take the words back immediately.

“So the truth finally comes out,” he said.

“I didn’t mean it like that.”

“You said I was attractive,” Seth countered.

“I saidbraggingisn’t attractive. It’s an important distinction.”

“You think I’mhot.”

I groaned and rolled my eyes. He bumped his shoulder against mine, jostling me.

“Well, I think you’re hot, too.”

I took a giant bite of my ice cream in an attempt to chill the blush burning up my neck to the tips of my ears.

Chapter 5

Seth

I tugged at the collar of my navy blue uniform t-shirt and clutched my root beer like a lifeline. Why was I so damn nervous? It was just a date—a very low-key one at that. I pulled my phone from my pocket and checked the screen.

Five minutes to noon. Still no text or call from Marlee.

Three barbecues had been set up outside the firehouse, along with a buffet table of food, and several coolers packed with an array of ice-cold drinks and juice boxes for the kids. Visitors clustered on the lawn of the firehouse with folding chairs and picnic blankets, chatting. Kids shrieked with laughter when Davies rigged a leaf blower to produce a constant stream of bubbles.

The cookout was well underway. In a few minutes, we would start auctioning some old firefighter gear we could no longer use, signed by every member of the Romeo Fire Department, to raise funds. After that was dessert, a friendly game of flag football, and a movie on the projector, with popcorn, candy, and glowsticks.

I couldn’t help feeling antsy that Marlee wasn’t here yet. Had she changed her mind and bailed instead?

God, I hoped not. If she didn’t show, that would knock the wind out of me. I sighed and rubbed my forehead. I’d had bad dates before. This wouldn’t be the first time that a woman stood me up. When that happened, I usually rallied and moved on without batting an eye.

This time was different though.

Under normal circumstances, I wasn’t the type to settle down or dream about having a family of my own. I liked my freedom. The temporary aspect of my relationships rendered them even sweeter. There was no chance to tire of each other or get bored, living with the same person, day in and day out. When I parted with the women I dated, it was on good terms most of the time, with a handful of rare exceptions.

With Marlee, I found myself hoping for more.

It was a new feeling—unsettling, but not unwelcome.

Which was ironic, since Marlee was probably the one who would dump me at the curb in the blink of an eye.

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