Page 8 of Code Red Chemistry

For as long as I’ve known her, which, for years, was simply as Alex’s little sister, Zoe’s never been one to pull punches. She’s never lacked confidence. But her bluntness is always tempered with compassion. Her quick wit is always softened with grace and good intentions. Which is probably why, from the moment I heard she was going to medical school, I knew Zoe would make a great physician.

But what’s more important, at least at the moment, is there’s no way in hell the Zoe I know would be here tonight if she didn’t want to be. But she is. She came knowing full well I’m one of the guys to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. That was Brock’s stipulation. That Libby tells Zoe and gives her the chance to opt out.

And I thought for sure she would. But she surprised me yet again. Even if the odds are good she only came to watch me make a fool of myself, I’ll take it. Because no matter the reason, she’s here. Now, I just need to pray I have a chance to talk to her before she slips out or before whoever the winning bidder is drags me away to talk about our ‘date.’

I pull out my phone, thumbs hovering over the screen. I should text Alex. Give him a heads up I saw his sister. That she’s here tonight. That I’m planning to—what exactly? Chase afterthe girl of my dreams. Who also happens to be his little sister? The same one I hooked up with at his wedding and then acted like a complete ass to at brunch the next morning?

Hey man, ran into Zoe the other night…

Delete.

Remember how you said it’s been forever since I’ve seen Zoe? Since your wedding? Yeah, about that…

Delete.

So, funny story. Zoe’s at this charity auction tonight and…

Delete.

“Shit,” I mutter, running a hand through my hair. There’s no good way to tell your best friend you’re in love with his sister. Especially when there’s no way in hell he’ll believe you since you’ve avoided her like the plague for the last five years and barely committed to coming to dinner to celebrate her board certification.

And even if you could convince him you were serious, he’d probably threaten to cut off your balls with a dull knife because you have a well-earned reputation as a strictly one-night kind of guy.

And the cherry on top for why Alex will think I’ve lost my mind? Because if he were to ask his little sister what’s up, she’d no doubt happily rattle off exactly why she has every reason to hate my guts.

Hey, I need to tell you something…

I stare at the words until the screen dims. Alex was there when I barely graduated high school, when my old man kicked me out, when I made it through the academy by the skin of my teeth. Hell, Alex is more family than my actual family. But what happened that night at his wedding? He doesn’t even know the tip of the iceberg. Not even a censored version. If he did, he’d have rearranged my face with his fist a long time ago. And now? The truth could end everything.

The phone buzzes in my hand, making me jump. It’s a text from Jake, asking if I’m ready to ‘strut my stuff.’ I pocket the phone without responding. Alex will have to wait. First, I need to see if I even have a shot with Zoe.

“Reyes?” the coordinator calls out, looking up from her clipboard to search those of us assembled.

“Here.”

“Ready?”

Not by a mile. I mean, I work out hard six days a week and could likely snag an underwear model contract as long as they didn’t want to show my face, but I’ve never paraded down a catwalk half-naked. But I’m willing to do it, if it means a chance to talk to Zoe again.

“Yeah,” I reply.

“Great, you’re on deck.”

It’s no more than a couple of minutes as I wait my turn, although it feels like forever. I wipe my moist palms down my turnout pants and mop my brow again. Why the hell does it feel hotter than hell in here? The Plaza’s air conditioning is clearly not keeping up with the crowd. Or maybe, it’s just me, sweating like I just ran a ladder drill in full gear on an August afternoon.

Before I know it, the guy before me has been “sold” to thunderous applause as tonight’s emcee, Ashley Adams, the popular host ofRise and Shine, a national morning show here in Manhattan, announces what a great start to the evening it’s been.

“And now, ladies and gentlemen…” she says, her voice quieting the crowd.

Shit, that’s my cue. I nearly trip over my boots getting to my mark, a small, taped X on the carpet.

“Let’s keep the bids coming. Next up is Firefighter Levi Reyes of Ladder 24!”

I swallow hard and force a smile as I stride out around the heavy velvet curtain, ignoring the way my heart tries to pound its way out of my exposed chest. Fortunately, I have a task that commands all my attention—scanning the roomful of black ties and evening gowns, looking for a certain honey-blonde.

“Standing six-foot-two, this hero of New York’s bravest makes saving lives look good, doesn’t he ladies?” Ashley pauses for appreciative whistles. “But there’s more to Firefighter Reyes than hisobvious assets. When asked about his ideal woman, Levi, here, described someone intelligent and driven—” She glances down at the card in her hand. “His exact words were ‘smart enough to challenge me and ambitious enough to chase her dreams.’”

Earlier this week, I filled out that questionnaire with Zoe in mind. How could I not? Since I laid eyes on her again, I haven’t been able to think of anyone else. Sure, I didn’t deserve her then and still don’t now, but the difference is, now I’m willing to put myself out there, to have the balls to let her make the choice and shoot me down rather than not even step up to the plate.

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