Page 17 of The Spark Between Us

"Good. Because Ellie's well-being is my priority. Always has been, always will be. I wouldn't want her getting hurt. By anyone."

The implied threat isn't subtle, but it's unnecessary. I'd cut off my own arm before hurting Ellie.

"Understood," I say firmly. "You have my word."

"I know I do," Brock says, his expression softening slightly. "That's never been in question."

He stands, indicating our conversation is over, but then pauses. "One more thing, Grant. If you ever did want to talk to someone... about the nightmares, the triggers... Ellie might understand better than you think. Sarah had her own battles after her cancer diagnosis. Ellie saw it all."

The thought of Ellie understanding my darkness is both comforting and terrifying.

"I'll keep that in mind," I say, not committing to anything.

"Meeting with the City Council tomorrow at 9," Brock says, returning to professional matters. "Bring the budget reports."

"Yes, sir," I reply, grateful for the shift.

As I leave the conference room, my mind is a battleground. Brock clearly suspects my feelings for Ellie, yet he didn't explicitly forbid anything. But the warning was clear enough—don't hurt her. Don't cross lines.

Back in my office, I close the door and drop into my chair, rubbing a hand over my face. Thursday seems even more complicated now. I should cancel. Make up an excuse. Assign someone else to the safety demonstrations.

But even as I think it, I know I won't. Because as much as I respect Brock, as much as I value his friendship and trust, the thought of not seeing Ellie on Thursday creates an ache in my chest I can't ignore.

My phone buzzes with a text message. Ellie.

*Thanks again for the tour, future Chief! Fair warning: I'm working on a fire safety song set to "Baby Shark" for the kids. Prepare your eardrums for Thursday.??*

I smile despite the warning bells, despite Brock's words still ringing in my ears.

*Looking forward to it,* I type back. *I think.*

Her response is immediate: *Too late to back out now, Walker. See you Thursday!*

I set my phone down, staring at the screen long after it goes dark. Thursday. Just three days away.

Three days to figure out how to be near Ellie without wanting what I shouldn't want. Three days to find my professional footing again. Three days to remember all the reasons why anything beyond friendship is impossible.

But as I turn back to my work, trying to focus on incident reports and staffing schedules, one thought keeps circling back:

She notices when I flinch. She asked about my nightmares. She understands.

And somehow, that's the most dangerous fire of all.

Chapter 6 - Ellie

"I still can't believe you're going to spend the morning with Firefighter McHottie while I'm stuck here watching Hallmark movies alone," Tasha's voice whines through my car speakers.

"Good morning to you, too, Tasha. And please never use the word 'McHottie' in the same sentence again."I mutter, turning onto Maple Street and heading toward Cedar Falls High School. Grant's text had surprised me this morning—changing our meeting place from the station to my old high school, where apparently we could use an empty classroom to practice our presentation.

"You didn't deny it," she points out gleefully. "I want full details later. What are you wearing? Please tell me it's not those mom jeans you think make you look professional."

"It's a sundress," I admit reluctantly.

"The daisy one that makes your boobs look amazing? YES!"

"My boobs do not—"

"They absolutely do, and you know it," she interrupts. "That's why you bought it. To torture Hot Firefighter Man with what he can't have."

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