Page 12 of Burning for the Billionaire 8

My eyebrows snap together. She calls me that just to mess with me, and her teasing chuckle confirms it. I hang up and march to the front door.

Stepping inside, I listen for the pounding of dog paws hitting the hardwood.

“And there she is.” I smile when an excited Ember appears to greet me. She hasn’t been too depressed about her owner’s absence, but I think that’s because she’s gotten just as attached to me, too.

“Grace, is that you?” Mel calls.

“It’s me!” I find her in the kitchen, chopping vegetables. “Mel, I told you I’d take care of dinner.”

She heaves a sigh. “I get enough of Kevin treating me like I’m made of porcelain. I won’t accept it from you.”

“Fine. I wave the white flag,” I tell her, holding up both palms.

I glance at her stomach. Since she’s overdue, I think she should be in bed, but she’s stubborn.

I’ve been staying with her and Kevin for a week now. That was the compromise Rowan and I came to so he’d have peace of mind while he’s away.

Mel and Kevin insisted it was a good idea. It’s best to take precautions since I don’t want hired security. It’s been great so far; I love Mel’s and Kevin’s company.

“How was your day?” Mel asks.

“Good.”

She gives me a curious glance. “And have you told him yet?”

Of course, she’s referring to the internship. “I will in a few minutes.”

She frowns. “What are you so nervous about? Rowan is going to be happy for you.”

Twisting my hands in front of me, I shrug. “I don’t doubt that. It’s just, maybe he’ll hate the idea that I’ll be across the country.”

Mel laughs. “Grace, he’s a billionaire. He’ll buy a private jet if he has to.”

A smile tugged at my lips. “You know, I totally forgot about that part.”

She grins. “You two will work things out.”

“Thanks, Mel.”

***

“Seeing your face lightsup my entire day.”

Of course, those words make me blushsohard. “I miss you so much.”

I stare at Rowan on my phone screen. It’s like he’s been gone a year instead of a week. His base is just right around the corner, but when he went in to do training with his department, they were sent to assist with a wildfire all the way in Oregon.

“I’ll be back soon,” he says.

“Are you okay?” I peer at my phone screen as if I can see beyond the frame. I catch a glimpse of a different color jumpsuit—it’s different from the protective clothing he wears at the local fire station. Now I’m thinking about him jumping out of planes into the middle of fires and I shudder at the thought.

He chuckles. “Stop worrying about me. I’m fine.”

“Are your teammates acting weird after finding out you’re a Lockwood?”

“Actually, no. No one gives a shit what my last name is as long as I do my job and have their backs. It’s a relief. The chief did shamelessly put in a request for a hefty check for new equipment, though.”

I laugh because I know it was all in good fun. He and the chief are friends.

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