Page 23 of Blind Date with a #FIREFIGHTER
Worry for Nicci, Aaron, and their parents keeps me awake. It’s three in the morning when they finally declared the fire out. I visit with the night staff for a few minutes, telling them I’ll be in my office. Stretching out on the couch, I set an alarm to be back downstairs before Aaron wakes.
I text Alex an hour before his shift is over telling him to just go home and I’ll bring Aaron to him later in the day. He sends a thanks and a hug emoji in return.
CHAPTER 13
Alex ~ Spark
After getting back to the station, we do the tailboard debrief and I spend the remainder of my shift working on reports and making my personal notes. This is the worst fire we’ve had in a while.
Seeing the text chain with Brad, Marie and Thea was like a breath of fresh air. I’ve been through a lot of nannies who weren’t half as understanding or cooperative. It feels like a little weight has been lifted. To top it off, Thea tells me to go home, and she’ll bring Aaron after I’ve gotten some sleep.
Getting home, I strip down to my boxers and literally faceplant on my bed. My son’s laugh wakes me. I glance at my watch. It’s noon.
Rolling from bed I realize I feel almost human. In the kitchen Aaron is helping Thea set the table. He smiles at me. “We got lunch, Dad.”
Crossing the room, I slide up behind Thea, kiss the crook of her neck and wrap my arms around her waist. “You must be an angel.”
“Hardly,” she laughs, before turning to look at my face. “Are you okay? Did you get enough rest?”
“I’m almost human. I’ll be fine.” I run a thumb over the shadow beneath her eye. “How about you? Did you stay all night? Weren’t you supposed to go home?”
“When there are big events, I tend to stay. I took a nap in my office. I’m fine.”
“So, we’re two overachieves.”
She laughs.
Lunch is a series of Aaron asking about the fire and then giving me a play-by-play rundown of his first all-nighter at the daycare. He pushes his fry back and forth through the ketchup. “Dad, do you know Nicci’s mom? She’s in ladder company.”
“I knew of her. But when I was thinking of bringing you to the daycare, we had coffee together. She’s very nice. I’m glad you and Nicci are becoming friends.”
“Was she at the fire, too?”
“Yes. It was a big fire. She’s home safe now.”
He visibly relaxes. He understands what we do is dangerous. I’ve never denied the danger but keep them at a level that I hope is appropriate for his age. I learned some hard lessons at his age. I can’t shield him from life.
Stuffing the last fry in his mouth, he looks at me. “Are you guys going to adult talk now? Can I watch two of my cartoons while I color?”
“Go. Check in with me after two shows.”
Standing, I start clearing the table, putting things away and packing up the leftovers. Thea rinses the dishes. Coming up behind her, I cup her shoulders and nuzzle her neck, kissing a path to her ear. “There’s something here. Something between us. You feel it too, don’t you?”
“I…yes, but it’s too soon.”
Turning her, I brush the hair back from her face. “There was a body at the fire. They suspect a homeless person. Thatinformation hasn’t been released yet. Well, maybe it has been by now.
“Life is short and tentative at best, Thea. I know what I’m feeling for you, and I don’t care what someone else deems is the proper amount of time.
“I’m not a player. I have a son whose feelings and attachments influence my behavior. Since my divorce, no one has affected me like you. I want to know everything about you. I want to watch you laugh, cry and have a temper tantrum.”
“I do not have temper tantrums,” she snaps.
“See, that reaction is exactly what I want to know.”
She slaps my shoulders, then wraps both arms around my neck. “We need to be careful. I—I could get really attached to your son and you. I already need to be careful when seeing him every day. I don’t want him hurt.”
And that’s exactly why I’m falling in love with you.
