Page 19 of Frosting and Flames

Okay, shut up. Not helping.

“Um, they’re great,” I say when I remember he’s waiting for a response. “Having a blast.” According to Mom, at least. I don’t think I’ve actually spoken to Dad. He usually lets her do the talking for both of them.

“Gotta say, I was a little surprised when I heard you wanted to volunteer for this,” he continues. “But it’s much appreciated.”

I give Jae a side-long glance, who conveniently takes that moment to look anywhere but at me.

“I enjoy giving back to the community,” I lie. I mean, it’s not really a lie. But the fire station would be my last choice to volunteer at.

And only because of…

I crash into someone as I round the corner out of the break room, knocking into a hard wall of muscle and warm, cedar scent.

“Rachel.”

There’s surprise and awe and confusion all jumbled together in Nick’s voice as he sets me away from him, and I hastily step back, ignoring the tingles that run down my arms as his fingertips drop from my shoulders.

“Found you another cook,” the fire chief says, gesturing to me. “Makes sense to put a professional baker on griddle duty, right?”

“Right,” I say weakly, avoiding Nick’s eye as he openly stares at me.

“You’re helping?” Nick asks.

I nod, confused by his apparent confusion. Wasn’t he expecting me?

“And Jae, was it?” the fire chief asks Jae.

She nods, smiling brightly.

“I’m going to put you in charge of bussing tables and restocking supplies. Think you can handle that?”

“Yes, sir.” She gives a salute, which the chief smiles fondly at. I’m sure if I did that, it’d come off as sarcastic.

“All right.” The chief claps his hands. “Henry’s taking tickets and Mark and Miguel are giving station tours. Jamal and Daniel are on duty today. Jae, let me show you where the supplies are. Nick, you can show Rachel where you’ll be making the food.”

Before Jae is guided away, she mouths to me,You okay?

I nod, even though I’m not, and watch as she’s led out of sight.

Which leaves me and Nick alone in the hallway.

“What are you doing here?” he asks bluntly.

I finally look at him, and his eyes widen.

“I mean, you’re welcome here,” he backtracks. “Obviously. I’m surprised, is all.”

Which is completely reasonable on his end. I’m half-surprised I’m here, too. That I didn’t call Jae this morning and feign being sick. She would’ve understood and lied to cover my ass.

But I hate breaking promises.

“Can you show me where I’ll make the pancakes?” I ask, instead of answering his question. Telling him the only I’m reason I’m here is because Jae signed me up seems… cruel.

“Yeah, this way.”

The fire station isn’t big enough to hold an event like this inside, so they have long folding tables with checkered tablecloths set up outside on the driveway and lawn. The bay is empty, and there’s a table with two electric griddles on it, plugged into an extension cord.

“How many people are coming?” I ask.

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