Chapter 9
Quinn
Callie and I return several days later to meet with the guys regarding detailed plans for the calendar shoot. Let’s just hope this goes better than when Jason inserted his opinion.
“You need me to carry anything?” I ask watching my sweet friend carefully lift the white confection box from the back seat.
“No. I think I’ve got it.”
“Callie, those cupcakes look amazing. Let’s hope the way to a man’s heart really is through his stomach.”
As we walk inside, I’m pleasantly surprised to see a room full of firefighters as we all greet one another. Without doing a formal head count, it appears there are at least ten in attendance.
“Quinn, how are ya?”
“Hey, Layton. I’m good. Excited to get things under way.” He’d advised when we confirmed this meeting that he’d mentioned the plan to proceed with the calendar, and everyone, including Mary and Pete, was excited to participate in any way that might bring funds and positive attention to the department.
Everyone but Jason, that is.
“And they aren’t meatball subs, but they’re close.” I giggle as Callie opens the box to reveal cupcakes decorated with meatballs in airbrushed “sauce” and sprinkled with white chocolate shavings resembling parmesan cheese. I swear, you have to look twice to make sure they aren’t the real thing.
“Holy shit, Callie. You made these?”
“Yes.” She beams with pride. As she should.
“They don’t taste like meatballs, do they?” John asks.
We both erupt in laughter. “No,” we answer in unison.
“Okay, everyone. Grab a cupcake artfully made by the beautiful Callie Dalton, I might add. Then take a seat so Quinn can go over what she has planned.”
“First, thank you so much for agreeing to participate in the calendar and the Bathtub Party Day celebration in December. I have high hopes they’ll both be a huge success. A photographer will be coming next week to start the first three photoshoots. We’ll schedule those of you who are off duty, so we don’t get in the way of any incoming fire or squad calls.”
I look about the room to make sure no one has any early questions and notice Jason sitting in the other room. Glaring at me. What the hell? If he doesn’t want to contribute to this fundraiser, he doesn’t need to act like I’m Attila the Hun. Just look away, Quinn. He’ll only get you hot and bothered, anyway.
“Some of you will be posing with someone, while others will be going solo.”
Baxter’s hand shoots up.
“Yes?”
“I’m happy to shoot with someone,” he says with a saucy wink.
“Good to know. Your partner for the shoot will be of the four-legged variety.” Several people snicker. “I’ll have props available at the time of your scheduled photoshoot and welcome your input.”
I’d met with a popular, well sought after photographer from the Hayes Resort, but while he was offering a discount on his services, he was unwilling to donate his time. However, Layton’s girlfriend recommended her friend Holly. She was going to do the entire thing for free, as long as her contact information was clearly marked on the calendar. Booking her was a no brainer.
Glancing over at Callie to see if she has any input, I find her a bit distracted, taking in the men in their turnout gear. But what did I expect? She only offered to come here for moral support. “I’ll leave the proposed schedule with Layton before I go. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.”
Packing up my things, I intentionally avoid looking over to where the grinchy fireman was sitting earlier. God, would it kill him to let us snap one measly picture and put it in the calendar? Seeing his six-foot-three, dark-haired, blue eyed, tattooed, sinewy body inside would guarantee the sales of this thing went through the roof.
“You ready, Callie?”
“Yep.” As we head out the door, she grabs my arm. “Hey, let’s grab a coffee.”
“Mug Life? Sure, why not.” Might be nice to decompress and figure out where I go from here. Heck, maybe Callie can help me think of some possible options to lure Jason, so I don’t have to settle for a beagle on the last page of the calendar.
Once there, we sit in companionable silence, enjoying our drinks for a few moments. “Gah, I miss the days when Harrison was here. The coffee’s still great, but the atmosphere isn’t the same with the new owner. Now that he and February have moved to the next town over, I only see them if I go out for a night of music.”
“Yeah. You’re right. So much has changed in the last few years,” she responds before taking another sip.
A few men who appear to be out of towners, grabbing coffee before a round of golf saunter in. Several of them gaze in our direction as they doctor their drinks with cream and sugar.
“Well, that hasn’t changed.”
“What?”
“The effect you have on men.” She laughs.
“Me? Look who’s talking.” Callie’s beautiful, but for some reason has absolutely no idea. She is about five foot seven, with dirty blonde hair and green eyes. There’s a dusting of light freckles across her cheeks and nose, giving her that gorgeous innocent girl next door vibe. From what I recall of her teen years, her home life wasn’t very positive. I suspect that still impacts her self-esteem. However, she’s so introverted, I think she hides away in all of her constant creativity, never noticing the men who stare longingly in her direction.
“I’m just saying, you should put your charms in full effect around Jason whenever you see him.”
Sitting up straighter, shocked by her remark, I turn to ask what she’s referring to when she clarifies.
I was there, Quinn. “That man couldn’t take his eyes off of you.”