Page 2 of A Very Grumpy Firefighter

“I like romance. What’s the name of the book?” He asks me, and I can see the spark of a challenge in his dark blue eyes.

He’s not going to leave until I tell him the name of the book

“It’s, uh, The Duke’s Passion,” I mumble, staring down at the wooden countertop.

“Is it any good?” He asks, and my face flames hotter.

“I like it so far,” I whisper, still staring at the counter.

“Okay, any more in stock?”

My mouth drops open, and I look up at him.

“For what?”

“For me to read.”

I blink, and he grins.

“Um, yeah, I think so.”

I hurry out from behind the counter and down the aisle to the romance section. The Duke’s Passion is on the top shelf, and I stretch to reach it when a hand reaches over me and grabs it before I can.

I freeze as I feel the heat from Milo’s body right behind me. He hovers there for a minute, and I glance over my shoulder, my eyes meeting his blue ones.

For a moment, it’s just the two of us staring at each other. My body starts to heat and I sway towards him slightly. I swore off dating when I was thirteen. My mom had just gone through arough breakup and I was so sick of picking up the pieces for her after each failed relationship. So, I vowed to never be in one so I wouldn’t have to deal with it again. And for years, it was easy to stick to that. Then Milo moved to town. He’s the only man who has ever interested me, who I’ve ever felt so drawn to.

He's gorgeous, though. I’ve heard women in town talking about him, and I’ve seen them all get rejected. If he’s turning away women like that, beautiful women who are full of confidence, then I have no doubt that he would also reject me. Then things would be so awkward between us.

Still, I can’t help but wonder what it would be like to be his.

I lick my lips, imagining him pinning me to these shelves and kissing me, his full lips claiming mine. He licks his lips at the movement, and I snap my head forward and sidestep him.

Get it together! There’s no way that a guy like Milo is going to be interested in someone like you. He’s had girls in town who look like models hit on him. Do you think he’s going to choose the quiet, curvy girl over them?

I clear my throat and keep my head down as I lead him back up to the counter and check him out.

“Fourteen dollars and seventy-five cents,” I tell him, and he grabs his wallet and passes me a twenty-dollar bill.

I hurry to get him his change and pass him his receipt.

“Thanks, Lilou,” he says softly, and I nod, still too frazzled to meet his eyes.

“Sure.”

“See you later.”

“See you,” I say quietly as he heads for the door.

I watch him leave and then check my watch. It’s a minute past closing and I hurry to lock up and flip the sign. Then, I’m gathering all of my things and heading out, too.

Back to my lonely apartment.

Maybe I should try dating, I think as I make my way.I could ask Milo out and just see what he says.

Do you think the hot firefighter is going to say yes to the curvy wallflower?My subconscious asks, and I sigh as I push that thought away and try to forget all about Milo and my feelings for him.

TWO

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