Page 16 of Blind Date with a #FIREFIGHTER
“We should let Thea get back to her book and into bed before it gets any later.” He pauses. “What do I need to do to register Aaron if he and I decide to go that route?”
“The application is in the packet I gave you or you can go online and fill it out. Just let me know and I’ll look for it. I work tomorrow but I’m on the overnight shift. I go in around six thirty in the evening then get off the next day at seven am.”
“Can I reach out to you if I have questions?”
“Certainly, call the office, or you also have my personal number on the card. I don’t mind.”
Aaron gives me a big hug.
Alex looks at me and smiles. “I think I can speak for both of us that we had a great night. We’d like to do it again if you’re willing.”
Willing? No. I know better. It always ends with me getting hurt. I glance down at Aaron who’s giving me a puppy dog pleading gaze. No, it’s not safe. I may not survive the heartacheof losing these two when they move on. But I’ll have the memories.
I glance up at Alex and nod. “I’d love to.”
“Thea, that phone number thing goes both ways. If you need anything just call me. Any time.”
I watch them go down the stairs and cross to the truck. Alex pauses before climbing in and glances at my window. Busted. He waves. I wave back and let the curtain fall.
Cougar,that drunk Tyne had said. How old is Alex? He has to be older, right? He’s a team captain. Thirty-five or forty. I mean he’s ripped, but that’s part of his job. Aaron told me he and his dad work out all the time to stay in shape.
Stop. It doesn’t matter. We are not dating. We are… friends. Like a neighbor who sometimes watches your kid. Or gives you a ride when your car breaks down. It’s not like we’re getting freaky.
Oh, damn, what a fantasy that is. Tanned. Hard body. Tall. Smart. Kind. Gentle with his son. A gentleman. Every woman’s fantasy.
And not the kind of guy who would ever look at me with more than friendship in mind.
I sigh, and head to bed. The hero in the book I’m reading looks just like Alex, even though the author said he’s blonde and blue eyed.
CHAPTER 9
Alex
I go over the paperwork in the morning before taking Aaron to the park. While he’s playing in the sandbox with a kid he knows from the neighborhood, I text Brad.
Alex: I need a sounding board.
Brad: What’s up?
Alex: Can you meet at the house? I’ll pick up food from the Sandwich Shop.
Brad: This is serious if you’re offering that. I can be there at one.
Alex: Thanks.
We leave the park, pick up lunch and Aaron is content in the living room watching TV when ‘Uncle’ Brad shows up.
After getting hugs and kisses from my son, he follows me to the kitchen. “Shit, three extra-long subs, two sides, chips and shakes? You never eat like this unless there’s a disaster.”
“Not true.”
“Look Mr. Lean Machine, My-Body-Is-A-Temple, the last time you ordered like this you were filing for divorce and restraining orders.” He grabs the pastrami and a bag of chips before sitting at the end of the table and shakes his head. “Give the man a four-alarm fire and he’s cool and unshakable. A little family trauma and he’s stress eating and spending twice as many hours in the gym.”
I sit beside him so I can see Aaron in the other room and know if he heads our way.
Halfway into his sandwich he pauses. “Spill it.”
I push my untouched lunch aside. “I went to see the twenty-four-hour daycare where Thea works. It’s nice. There’re big playrooms with lots of toys and supervision and organized activities. Quiet rooms if a kid needs space. For overnight they have their own bed and there is always someone with them. There is age-appropriate TV time and even movie nights if parents approve.
