Page 87 of Knot Baked Out For This
"Yeah. It was."
"Maybe we could do it again? The coffee and talking part, not the emotional vulnerability before 7 AM part."
"I'm free most mornings. Except when things are on fire."
"Convenient that you're a firefighter then."
"Very convenient."
Just leave. Stop standing here like an idiot. You're going to be late.
I make it to the door before she calls out.
"Rowan?"
I turn back.
"I think about you too," she says quietly. "A lot. Probably more than is healthy or appropriate."
Fuck.
My brain completely short-circuits. I forget how doors work, how walking works, how breathing works. I back out of the bakery, miss the step, stumble backward trying to catch myself, and?—
SPLASH
The puddle is deeper than it looks. And colder. And muddier.
I'm flat on my ass in dirty water, uniform soaked, dignity somewhere in the storm drain.
Hazel's laugh is bright and shocked and perfect. "Oh my god! Are you okay?"
"Fine," I groan. "Just my pride. And my uniform. And possibly my spine."
"Oh this is PERFECT!"
Reverie fucking Bell appears from nowhere, phone already out, camera clicking. "The mighty fire captain, brought low by feelings and weather! This is going straight to the blog!"
"Reverie, no?—"
"Reverie YES! The people need to see that their Alpha heroes are actually disaster humans!" She's practically glowing with glee. "The caption writes itself: 'Local Fire Captain Falls for Baker—Literally!'"
"I will arrest you," I threaten, struggling to stand.
"On what charges?"
"Harassment. Stalking. General evil."
"Those aren't real charges."
"They should be."
Hazel is trying not to laugh, hand over her mouth, but her eyes are sparkling. "You should probably go change."
"You think?" I gesture at my soaked uniform. "This isn't the new fashion?"
"Wet Alpha is very last season," Reverie informs me. "Though I bet it'll trend again after I post this."
I groan, squelch my way to standing. "This conversation never happened."
