Page 80 of My Grumpy Fire Chief Next Door
The words hit harder than I expect, like someone yanked the floor out from under me. My stomach twists so sharply I nearly flinch.
The air around me thins. I’m suddenly too aware of every eye in the room, of Parker looking up from his chair, confused, of Blaze lifting his head like even he can feel something is wrong.
My fingers tremble under the table. I can’t look at Noah. I can’t look at anyone. Shame and panic crawl up my spine like a tide I can’t hold back.
I’ve been here a month. I’ve tried to be careful. Kind. Small. But Tara sees through me, straight to the part I’ve been working so hard to keep hidden.
You don’t belong here.
She doesn’t have to say it again. I already hear it in my head—echoing from every room I ever left behind. From every guarded dinner table and every whispered conversation back home.
My heart beats like it’s trying to escape. And for a terrifying second, I want to grab Parker and run. Disappear. Before it all unravels.
The blood drains from my face.
I feel like I’ve been slapped, right in front of everyone. Parker stirs in his chair, confused, and I can’t even meet his eyes. My chest constricts.
“She’s hiding something,” Tara goes on, voice deceptively light. “Come on, look at her. Does anyone really believe a woman like that just... ends up here? Like some wandering saint with a paintbrush and no past?”
My throat tightens, vision blurring for a second like the floor has gone uneven. My heartbeat slams harder, a warning drum I can’t silence.
Noah’s chair scrapes back.
He rises slowly, hands braced on the table, voice low and controlled but lethal in its edge.
“She’s not random,” Noah says, voice like flint striking steel. “And if you have something to say, say it to me.”
Tara laughs, but there’s no humor in it. “Oh, I am. Trust me. You moved on didn’t you? The new princess is here, and you’ve forgotten all about Josie?”
My heart stutters. I see Rachel’s eyes widen. Emily makes a small, strangled sound under her breath, and Margaret leans forward like she might actually throw her coffee at Tara.
Elaine stands. “You will not speak about Josie like that. And you will not speak to Kate like that, either.”
But Tara doesn’t stop. She pivots toward Noah like she’s trying to drag him into the fire with her.
“She’s not who you think she is,” she spits. “You think she fits here? You really believe someone like her belongs in Porthaven? Look at her. She’s hiding something. And I promise you, Noah, whatever it is—when it comes out, it’ll ruin you.”
“Every word slices deeper, leaving me raw. I can’t breathe, can’t move. I just stand there, absorbing the hit.”
Noah's eyes turn dark, jaw tight.
“You don’t get to come in here and do this,” he says, voice dangerously calm. “Not to her. You have something to say about me? Fine. Say it. But you leave Kate out of it.”
“She doesn’t belong here,” Tara hisses. “And one day, you’ll see I was right.”
She storms out before anyone can respond, slamming the door so hard the bell stutters on its hook.
Silence settles, thick and stunned.
Elaine closes her eyes, rubbing her temple. “I am so sorry,” she says quietly. “Tara’s... not herself lately.”
Noah sits beside me again, his knee brushing mine. He doesn’t take my hand this time, but his presence is steady beside me, protective and quiet, but still simmering.
I swallow and nod, even though my chest feels hollow and tight.
I force myself to keep going.
I flip to the next page in my binder like I didn’t just get gutted in front of half the town. My voice comes out a little too high, a little too rushed.
