Page 17 of A Very Grumpy Firefighter

“I can take a few minutes. I’ll just need to come back if anyone else comes in.”

“No problem.”

I grab his coffee and a tea for myself and then join him at a small table off to the side.

“No coffee for you?” He asks me, and I shake my head.

“I don’t like coffee.”

“Seriously?” He asks me, and I nod.

“Yeah, I know. A lot of people think it’s weird that I love working at a coffee shop so much, when I don’t really like coffee. Making coffee is soothing for me, though. A lot of things are the same, just different syrups or milks. Sometimes, I like to try out different things, kind of mad scientist style. It lets me daydream when I want to, or be creative if I’m in the mood. It’s kind of the perfect job for me.”

“Then I’m glad that you get to do what you love.”

“Me too.”

“Was this your first job?” He asks me as he sips his coffee.

“No. I worked a lot of odd jobs growing up. My mom wasn’t willing to pay for much for me. She preferred to spend her money on new outfits for herself so that she could impress her newest boyfriend.”

I can hear the bitterness in my words, and I clear my throat and go on.

“Most of the jobs were terrible, but I learned a lot. Like that I’m not great with kids, I get way too attached to things to be a good employee for animal shelters, and that I hate anything that includes math. It’s my weakest skill.”

“You like reading,” he says, and I nod.

“What about you?” I ask him as I take the tea bag out of my cup and set it on the saucer.

“My favorite job? Being a firefighter. I like helping people. My dream job would be something outdoors, but I’ve never been able to figure out a way to get paid hiking.”

“Park ranger, maybe?” I offer.

“I’d have to deal with people too much.”

“Not a people person?” I ask in disbelief.

“No, never have been.”

I blink, and he smiles slightly.

“You seem surprised.”

“I am. You’ve always been so nice to me. I guess I just thought that you were like that with everyone.”

“Nope. Just you. I’m a Lilou person.”

I can feel my face flame with a blush at his words, and I duck my head to try and hide it.

“What are you doing today?” He asks me.

“Working. I’m here this morning and then at Wet and Wild this afternoon for a few hours.”

“What time will you be done?”

“By five, I think.”

“Okay, we’ll have dinner tonight then.”

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