Page 31 of A Pen Pal for Christmas

I choked on my beer. “I’m sorry, did you say firefighter calendar? Please don’t tell me that’s a real thing.”

“Oh, it’s a real thing, all right,” Jack said. “But it’s not just for Snow Hill. It’s for all of Central PA. Apparently there aren’t enough hot firefighters in each small town for a whole calendar.”

Tommy, Nick, and I slowly turned to Jack, each of us probably having the same how-do-you-know-all-that looks on our faces.

Jack held up his hands. “Wife’s the mayor’s assistant. I can’t help what I overhear.”

“How much did she have to do with the making of this calendar, anyway?” Nick asked, clearly teasing his friend.

“Too much,” Jack replied, pursing his lips. “Then again, Holly and Grace were a big help.”

This had both Tommy and Nick glaring at him in response, and I bit back a laugh.

“There he is,” Nick said, tipping his beer toward the other end of the bar.

I turned to see Jamie heading our way, a beer in one hand and that same easy confidence he’d always had. And just like when I’d seen him at the town square, it was obvious that even though he hadn’t changed much, there was an edge to him now. It was like a weight in his eyes and stance that hadn’t been there when we were younger. Life had a way of doing that to everyone, but life in the Marines did it faster.

“Look who finally decided to show up,” Jamie said to me, sliding onto the empty stool next to Tommy.

“Jamie,” I said, returning his nod. “We were just talking about your calendar.”

He smirked. “I’d say I regretted doing it, but I’d be lying. I don’t hate the extra attention.”

That had Nick, Tommy, and Jack rolling their eyes, and this time I couldn’t fight my chuckle. “What made you move back?” I asked.

“Got tired of moving around. Figured it was time to settle down, and the fire department was hiring. Seemed like the right fit. What about you? Are you back for good?”

I filled him in on my plan to enjoy my leave in Snow Hill before finding a place closer to where I’d be working in Harrisburg. But when the conversation shifted away from me, I had a hard time paying attention. I was mildly aware of the topics of discussion as the guys cycled through them, but my eyes kept drifting to the bar, where Sofia was laughing at something a customer said, her braid swaying as she moved.

She didn’t glance our way, but I swore I felt the air shift when she passed by.

“Earth to Hudson.” Nick snapped his fingers in front of my face, dragging me back to the table. “You good?”

I blinked, turning back to the table. “Yeah, I’m good.”

Jack smirked. “You’ve got it bad.”

“What?”

“Please.” Jack leaned back on his stool, folding his arms. “You’ve been eyeing Sofia all night.”

“I haven’t,” I protested, though the heat rising to my neck probably said otherwise.

Nick tilted his head as he looked around me. “Tommy, I think this guy might have a thing for your sister.”

“Thanks for that,” I bit out from the corner of my mouth.

Tommy’s expression hardened, and he leveled me with a look that could cut steel. “Let’s get one thing straight: Sofia’s not a conquest. If you’re planning to play games, don’t bother.”

Before I could reply, Sofia began making her way toward us as if her Spidey Senses were tingling. Her teasing smile wasaimed squarely at Tommy, and her presence sent a ripple of energy through the room—or maybe just through me.

“Tommy,” she said, crossing her arms. “What’s up?”

Tommy smirked. “Just enjoying a wholesome guys’ night. Nothing to see here.”

Her lips twitched like she was holding back a laugh. “Uh-huh.”

Her gaze flicked to me, lingering for just a heartbeat longer than necessary. My chest tightened as I met her eyes, feeling the warmth of her attention before she shifted it back to Tommy.

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