Page 32 of Sunshine

He was just my friend, I reminded myself. Longing filled my chest like a soap bubble ready to burst. When Luca had dropped in on me last week, he’d flirted like he was going to kiss me.

But when I reminded him that they could use our matchmaking services—trying to test the waters in my own clumsy way—he’d repeated what Logan had told me three years ago. They didn’t want to sign up because they weren’t dating.

My heart plummeted. I was already in too deep not to be crushed.

Julian handed me a stack of glossy paper.

“Your calendars, as promised.” Julian nodded at Stella as my sister walked over. “Hey, Stell.”

Stella peered over my shoulder. “Oooh yes, hot firefighter calendar.”

“What?” Simon frowned. He wasn’t wearing a three-piece suit today, instead he had on a polo shirt and khakis that was his idea of laid back.

“Nothing, honey.” Stella waved him off, with Jerrick and Evan smirking.

Luna actually came out from behind her essential oils display to say hi, and soon my whole family was gathered around Julian.

“Where’s your…” Stella frowned, “I don’t know, your firefighter uniform?”

Julian smirked, brushing his hand over the fire department’s insignia on his t-shirt.

“His turnout gear?” I asked her. My sister had to be referring to the heavy yellow uniform that everyone thought about when someone said ‘firefighter’.

I may or may not have deep-dived into research about firefighters when I became friends with Julian.

“Yes, that.” Ember gestured at him. “Not that this isn’t great, too.”

“It’s on the truck. I’m going to be taking turns in the ice bath, so I’m not going to wear it.” Julian turned to me. “I’m here to deliver the calendars and ask Sunshine if she’s jumping in with me. You know, for charity.”

“A bath filled with ice water?” Ember shook her head. “Hard pass.”

A tub filled with water and ice cubes? But also, a tub filled with Julian. I sighed. “Fine. But at the end of the day. I didn’t bring a bathing suit.”

“Yes!” Julian pumped his fist in the air. “Logan said he’ll bring some food by around noon.”

“He doesn’t have to go to the trouble.” I frowned. “He’s going to be busy.”

“He’s bringing food for my fire company, too.” Julian winked. “Don’t take the pleasure of feeding people away from him.”

“Yeah, Sunshine.” Ember elbowed me. “I still haven’t forgiven you for not sharing the last time.”

“Go make friends with Alejandro if you want a personal chef,” I grumbled, rubbing my side.

Julian had a wicked look on his face. “Heissingle. Not my type, but he’s a really great guy.”

Ember gave me the stink eye and then tossed her hair over her shoulder. “Maybe I will.”

I glanced at the calendars in my hands. It was this year’s calendar and last year’s calendar. I wanted to find which month Julian was on right away, but it felt weird with him staring at me.

“I’ll come over around seven.” I wanted to ask him where Luca was, but I wasn’t going to do it in front of my entire family.

“Hey, everyone.” Talia walked over with a few trays of cupcakes. She looked adorable with her blonde hair in a twist, wearing a white dress and a pink apron with Cupcake My Day’s logo on the front.

Stella and Ember gave Talia identical glares.

I stepped ahead, trying to head off the inevitable confrontation. “How’s set-up?”

“Going great.” Talia stopped at our welcome table. She noticed Julian and then winked at me. “I see yourfriendis here.”

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