Page 64 of Stuck with my Brother's Firefighter Besties

As the photo shoot wrapped up, Nate announced a break, and the guys scattered to grab water or air out the barn’s lingering heat. Lila hurried outside, clearly needing an escape from the chaos… and probably from us.

Especially me.

I didn’t blame her. I’d been pushing my luck, but something about her reactions made it impossible to stop myself.

Dropping my flannel over my shoulder, I followed her outside. The sun was starting to dip, casting a golden glow over the barn and the nearby fields.

Lila stood by the fence, scribbling something on her clipboard, though her grip on the pen looked a little too tight.

“Hey.”

She jumped, spinning around with wide eyes. “Colt! You scared me.”

I held up my hands in mock surrender, grinning. “Didn’t mean to. Just wanted to check on you. You bolted out of there like the barn was on fire.”

She huffed a small laugh, tucking a strand of chestnut hair behind her ear. “Yeah, well… it’s a lot of testosterone in one room. Plus, the posing.”

“Don’t tell me you’re blushing over a few shirtless guys,” I teased, leaning against the fence. “I thought you were tougher than that.”

Her eyes narrowed, but I caught the faintest smile on her lips. “I’m not blushing, and I’m definitely tougher thanyou.”

“Doubt it.” I smirked, letting the silence stretch between us for a moment before I took a step closer. “You know, I wasn’t just messing with you in there.”

Her brow furrowed, the teasing light in her eyes dimming into confusion. “What do you mean?”

“I mean,” I said, my voice softening, “you’re a distraction, Lila. And not just because you keep looking at me like you’re trying not to laugh.”

Her cheeks flushed instantly, and she looked away. “I wasn’t?—”

“You were,” I interrupted gently, stepping closer still. “And I liked it.”

She turned back to me, her hazel eyes full of hesitation. “Colt…”

“Look, I’m not great at this whole ‘subtle’ thing, so I’ll just come out and say it.” I took a deep breath, my usual confidence faltering just a little. “Go out with me. One date. That’s all I’m asking.”

Her jaw dropped, and for a moment, she looked so genuinely shocked that I wondered if I’d miscalculated entirely.

“You’re serious?” she asked.

“Completely.” I grinned. “Unless you’re about to tell me no, in which case I’ll just pretend I was joking and slink away in defeat.”

Her lips parted like she was about to say something, then closed again. She blinked, her face blank.

“Lila?”

Finally, she let out a breathless laugh, shaking her head. “I… I don’t know why I’m saying this, but yes. Okay. A date.”

I straightened, my grin widening. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.” She bit her lip, her eyes darting nervously back toward the barn. “But only if you promise not to make a big deal about it. Nate will kill us both if he finds out.”

“Deal,” I said without hesitation. “And don’t worry, I’m great at keeping secrets.”

Her skeptical look said otherwise, but the smile tugging at her lips told me I’d won her over.

“All right, then,” I said, stepping back and giving her space. “Saturday night. I’ll pick you up at seven.”

“Okay,” she replied softly, still looking a little dazed.

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