Page 8 of The Beginning

Okay, his hotness points just went up about a thousand degrees. Why hadn’t I thought to ask him what he did when we chatted earlier?

Oh, right, because I was too busy thinking about my own work life and the stress I was under. But fighting fires? Saving lives? That put my stressful life into perspective, for sure.

“Wow,” I said, trying to keep my face from showing him exactly how impressed I was. “Where do you work?”

“Beaufort, at the Marine Base. Technically, I’m Crash Fire Rescue. I mostly deal with aircraft fires, malfunctions, or crashes. We have a civilian fire crew on base for structure fires.”

And just like that, all thoughts of Thatcher being that mythical one for me vanished into thin air. Hot firefighter, or not.

I gave him a tight smile and nodded, allowing him to help me into the low seat. I’d already agreed to go to the wedding with him tonight, so there was no going back now.

We’d have a fun time celebrating the happy couple, maybe have a dance or two, but that was all it would be. Because there was no way on this earth I would let myself fall for a Marine.

3

THATCHER

When I’d first picked her up, Hattie’s bright smile had sent lightning up my spine. She’d seemed genuinely happy to see me, despite the fact that she had to know she was way too good for me.

But then, on the car ride to the Post, she’d seemed a lot different. The sparkle I’d seen in her eyes had completely vanished, making her smile seem a lot more distant.

You know, exactly the way a total stranger would expect to be treated.

“Everything okay?” I asked when I opened her door and gave her a hand out.

She nodded. “Mmhmm.”

“You seemed a little quiet on the ride over.”

“And how would you know if I wasn’t always like that?” she asked, a wry smile on her lips.

I searched her face, and while it wasn’t as open and friendly as before, there was still a hint of the girl I’d met here earlier hanging out beneath the surface. “Just a feeling.”

“Well, I’m fine. Now, let’s just enjoy our night so we can part ways with a fun memory.”

She turned on her heel and headed for the venue, leaving me standing there in a stupor.

Then I shook it off and ran to catch up with her, bumping her arm with my elbow. “Part ways, huh? You’re already trying to get rid of me?”

Hattie let out a sigh and stopped walking, so I turned to face her, noting the wariness in her posture. “Sorry, Thatcher, it’s just … I don’t want you to get the wrong idea.”

“And what idea is that?”

“That this is going anywhere.”

I blinked. “Hey, easy, I’m not walking you intoourwedding. I know I said it was just so they didn’t waste a meal, but if anything, it’s just a date. ”

“Right, but not afirstdate. Anonlydate.”

The depth of my disappointment surprised me, considering I didn’t even know this woman. But I shook it off, shrugging.

She wasn’t the first girl today who told me she wasn’t into me. I’d recover.

“If you want me to take you home, I can,” I said quietly.

She stepped forward, clasping the tops of my arms. “No, no. I’m sorry. I’ve messed this up. I shouldn’t have said anything. Let’s go inside and have fun. No worries.”

“I’m a little worried. Suddenly, I feel like I’ve got you here against your will.”

---