CHAPTER FIFTEEN #2
Malcolm couldn’t deny, she was gorgeous.
He could understand why Javi was currently drowning in a pool of his own drool.
While Jessie had unique features like a slightly crooked grin and wide-set eyes that made her beautiful, Lola was a stereotypical blonde bombshell beauty.
She was on the taller side, with hair the color of sun-kissed straw.
She commanded the room, which was no small feat when dealing with firefighters.
They were a motley crew to say the least.
Lola smiled, a row of perfectly white teeth greeting the team.
She had a confidence that came from knowing her business, shoulders squared, not a hitch in her voice.
“Good afternoon, everyone. I’m Lola, and I’ve been a photographer for over ten years.
I’ve done jobs varying from weddings and birthday parties to portraits and group photos at community events. ”
She pulled her camera bag off and fished out a flash drive, holding it out for Javi, who still looked like he’d been electrocuted. “You mind plugging this in?” she asked, eyebrow arched.
Javi nodded dumbly, walking backward to the laptop and projector until he nearly stumbled to the floor.
Maxwell snorted beside Malcolm, studying the silly scene. “I’ve never seen Ortiz like this around a woman before. Someone should be filming this.”
Behind them, George whispered, “I’m on it.” His phone was strategically placed between Malcolm and Maxwell, a shit-eating grin plastered on his face. “We can all enjoy this later.”
Malcolm couldn’t argue. He was torn between being entertained and horrified. “At least this meeting is more interesting than peanut brittle,” he mused. Lowering his voice, he added, “And send me that when you’re done, George.”
After what felt like an eternity, Javi had Lola’s presentation ready on the screen.
It was a simple PowerPoint made to highlight her photography skills.
For a few minutes she clicked through dozens of pictures featuring people of all shapes, ages, sizes, and backgrounds.
There were laughing children, couples on their wedding day staring lovingly at each other, but it was her last few slides that got the room’s attention.
“This is what I wanted to highlight,” Lola said, stepping up to the screen and gesturing at an array of photos featuring police men and women.
“Last year I took these snaps for the police station out in Peach Springs. They were doing something similar, a fundraiser, and wanted some fun shots to drive attendance to their policemen’s ball. ”
She clicked through slides showing law enforcement in tasteful photos.
There were no awkward poses, no scantily clad men draped in anything inappropriate, no women showing cleavage in their dress blues.
Overall, it was classy and fun, exactly what Malcolm thought would work for Pinegrove.
If the approving murmurs were any indication, he wasn’t alone in his opinion.
When Lola finished her presentation, she asked Trevor to turn the lights back on as she addressed the group.
“So, any questions on what I could do for Pinegrove FD?” Her blue gaze swept the room, finding only nods of encouragement.
“I can make this calendar anyway you’d like it,” she added, turning to Maxwell.
“And I hope you don’t mind me saying, but I overheard your suggestion for rotary saws.
You only need to do that if you want to,” she teased, winking at Maxwell.
“I like her,” Maxwell said under her breath.
“Me, too,” Javi agreed, hearts in his eyes.
Malcolm scoffed. “Is this the reason you hired Lola?”
Javi reared back, his voice low. “No, man, I swear. I saw her portfolio and thought it’d be nice to hire local.”
Maxwell giggled. “Saw her portfolio, huh? Is that what the kids are calling it?”
Malcolm couldn’t hold back his answering chortle, earning a glare from Javi.
“Real mature, y’all. I’m trying to be the best fundraiser this station has ever seen, and you two have your heads in the gutter.
” He splayed his hand over his heart and sighed.
“I’m being a professional.” He pointed at George and sighed.
“And don’t think I didn’t see you playing Spielberg. Delete it.”
George tucked his phone away. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Ortiz.”
“Yeah, right.” Javi left them to thank Lola, who was busy talking with Trevor.
Frowning, Maxwell studied their buddy. “Do you really think he’s trying to be professional about this whole thing?”
Malcolm cocked his head, unsure what to make of his friend’s transformation from ladies’ man to fundraiser chair. “I mean, he seems genuine. I think he’s telling the truth.”
Lola answered questions as other teammates thanked her for her time. She strode up to Malcolm and Maxwell, extending her hand. “I’m Lola.”
His partner beat him to the introductions, taking Lola’s hand. “Tiffany Maxwell, and this is Malcolm Smith.” She dipped her head toward Malcolm.
Lola took his hand, giving it a few shakes before stepping back. “And judging from what I’m seeing, you two will be perfect for the calendar. I couldn’t stop watching you laughing, and I think that playfulness will come through.”
Maxwell preened at the compliment, but Malcolm suddenly felt uncomfortable. He wasn’t sure he wanted to document his injuries with a calendar. For an entire year he’d be reminded that a warehouse fell on him, crushing his bones and nearly his spirit.
Rubbing the back of his neck, he exhaled.
“Not sure I’ll be camera-ready.” He jostled his cane, praying she wouldn’t ask follow-up questions.
Human nature made folks curious, and he wouldn’t fault her if she asked a few hurried, nervous questions.
But he didn’t like how her face fell. Ever the people pleaser, he rallied quickly.
“Although I think it’s a great idea. I love what you did with Peach Springs.
There wasn’t anything that looked meme-worthy.
” The trio chuckled, but Lola still appeared anxious, wringing her hands in front of her.
Lola leaned closer. “My job is to make people feel comfortable, so please don’t worry about that. But I also don’t pressure anyone into anything they don’t want to do. Maybe we can talk about the process sometime?”
Malcolm flushed, hoping he misunderstood Lola’s intentions. Granted, he was no saint and was used to women hitting on him in uniform. Although he was currently dressed more like an injured golfer than a fireman.
Javi joined them, breaking the spell. “Did I hear someone say we’re talking shop? Lola, can my man and I take you out for drinks sometime?”
Lola turned to Javi and smiled. “Sure, that’d be nice. I’m new to Pinegrove and haven’t met a lot of people yet.”
“Then consider me your Pinegrove tour guide! I can show you all the sights,” Javi exclaimed, causing poor Maxwell to choke on her gum.
“Like Javi’s bedroom,” she muttered, banging on her chest until she swallowed her gum.
Lola eyed the group and finally shrugged. “Sure. When’s a good time?”
“Now,” Javi blurted before shaking his head. “I mean, what does your schedule look like?” He hesitated a moment and continued, “Do you need to check with your husband or anything?” He raised an eyebrow, and Malcolm nearly died from second-hand embarrassment.
“Smooth, Ortiz,” he said behind his fist, coughing to clear the air.
Javi smacked his forehead and groaned. “I mean, I know your schedule must be hectic with all the events you handle.”
Lola gave him a quizzical look, not bothering to answer his question on her single status. “If I have a little notice, I can usually find the time. This week is a little nuts. Maybe some night next week?” She pivoted to face their group. “Do you all have a night off in common?”
Javi’s face fell. “Oh, um. All of us?” He rested his hands on his hips, head dipped down.
Maxwell chuckled. “We all usually have Thursday nights off in common. If I give my husband notice, he’ll watch the kids.”
Malcolm shifted his weight, his cane scratching across the polished concrete floors. “I’m not technically released to duty yet, so Lord knows I’m free.” He hated that his words had a double meaning. Without Jessie in his life right now, he felt too free.
Now Javi looked truly despondent. “I can’t next Thursday. It’s book club night, and I don’t want to miss it. We’re discussing a hockey romance that nearly scorched my retinas.” He blinked theatrically and added, “In a good way though.”
Maxwell huffed a laugh, nudging Javi’s side. “I still don’t know how you got an invite to that club. I heard there’s a wait list.”
Blowing a breath on his hand, Javi made a show of polishing his knuckles on his uniform shirt. “I’m well connected, Maxwell.”
“You’re something,” she pestered, sticking out her tongue.
Lola adjusted her bag, eyes dancing around their group. “A book club? That would be a great way to meet people.” She shrugged and added, “I’d love to meet some new friends.” She focused on Javi and asked, “Do you think you could get me an invite? Just to get the vibe?”
“Yes, absolutely!” Javi readily agreed. “I’ll email you the details.”
Maxwell poked Javi in the side. “You might as well get seats for Smithy and me. I want in.”
Javi gasped, rubbing the spot and inching further away from Maxwell. “Ow, fine. I’ll talk to Ms. Daisy.”
Maxwell beamed. “Perfect! I can’t wait.”
Malcolm did not share his partner’s enthusiasm. Plus, it was obvious Javi didn’t want anyone else to join his outing with Lola. “I don’t know, with my parents visiting, it might not be worth it.”
Lola frowned. “Oh, that’s too bad.”
Javier’s eyes darted back and forth between them, brow knitted in concentration. “Smithy will be there. I’ll drive.”
Maxwell draped an arm around Malcolm, anchoring him to her side. He wasn’t sure if she’d noticed he was fading fast, or if it was moral support for these new plans. “I can always pick up Smithy. Let’s make this happen.”
Lola smiled at Malcolm, a warm expression that made her eyes sparkle.
Malcolm returned the gesture, hoping he didn’t look as drained as he felt.
Between his recovery and missing Jessie, he was as wrung out as a sponge on engine washing day.
And not for nothing, he didn’t want to get involved with a woman who his buddy was clearly into. Bro code mattered.
“It was nice meeting you,” Lola said.
“I’ll email you,” Javi promised, still drooling like a dog waiting on a treat.
Without another word, Lola waved goodbye and made her exit.
Javi watched her walk away, eyes nearly bugging out of his skull. “I’m a goner. That woman is incredible.”
“Then maybe you two should go to book club on your own,” Malcolm suggested, bone tired after being on his feet and out with people.
Javi scoffed. “Smithy, I need a wingman. My A-game did not make an appearance up there.” He clasped his hands in front of him.
“Please? You don’t even have to read the book.
” Malcolm stalled, taking too long to form the perfect excuse.
Javi continued his plea, “I’ll have you home in time for Wheel of Fortune.
It’ll be like you never left your house. ”
Malcolm winced, not because he didn’t like the game show but because it was accurate. Now that Jessie and he were ... whatever they were ... he knew his evenings were going to be lame as hell until his parents went back to Tennessee.
“Fine, but I might take up Maxwell on the offer of a ride.”
Javi clapped Malcolm on the back, nearly knocking his cane to the floor. “You’re the freaking best, Smithy.”
“Yeah, yeah. You can show your thanks by getting me a ride home. I’m beat.”
Maxwell checked her smartwatch. “I’m off in ten. Pop a squat, and I’ll drop you off on my way to daycare pickup.”
Javi pulled Maxwell into a quick hug. “That’s perfect. I need to call Ms. Daisy and tell her about the updates to book club.”
Both Malcolm and Maxwell snorted. “I can’t believe you’re taking this so seriously. Since when do you even read?”
“Javier can read,” he said in a robotic tone.
“Plus, these books are amazing. I didn’t know what a book boyfriend was until Ms. Daisy showed me the light, and now I can’t live without these guys.
” He made a heart gesture with his hands and nearly swooned like a Southern Belle.
“These books are romantic and sexy, but you fall in love with the characters. You can relate to their heartbreak.”
Maxwell bounced on her feet. “I’m actually really excited. An invite to a book club and the chance to watch Javi get tongue-tied around a girl? Yes, please!”
Malcolm shuffled toward Maxwell’s desk, eager to get home.
Hopefully this book would distract him from thoughts of Jessie—or it would drive him batty.
Either way, he welcomed more distractions.
Being at work had helped. Hell, watching Javi flounder with Lola worked wonders.
Jessie wasn’t far from his mind though, and he missed her.
The missing her wasn’t new, but knowing she was in town and could possibly show up hit him differently.
Relaxing felt impossible when Jessie was breathing the same peach-scented air.
He envied Javi and his ability to play the field and date freely. Even when single, Malcolm never could commit to that lifestyle. Right now all he could commit to was his PT regimen. The trouble was, there weren’t any exercises to fix his broken heart.