CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Malcolm felt like he was playing a game of emotional tug-of-war.
His day started with his mother hovering over him, his father trying to distract her, and his mind racing with nothing but thoughts of Jessie.
By the time Javi had picked him up, he was desperate for a distraction.
Yet when he found one, he realized he didn’t want it.
Lola was a nice woman; there was no point denying that.
They’d shared a few jokes while she got set up, and he liked chatting with her.
She knew her stuff with photography—from her cameras and lighting to the props and locations they could use for the calendar—but watching Javi fumble his way around her was growing tedious.
The humor of the situation evaporated about ten minutes into their session, when Javi almost twisted an ankle on a rogue length of hose.
And the hell of it was, Javi wasn’t making an impression on the blonde. He was throwing out compliments, jokes, and witty remarks like his life depended on it. Yet she seemed immune to all of it, even the stumbles.
As Javi continued his tap dance and Lola got others in place for their photos, Malcolm sat down and thought about what his dad had said the other day—about craving someone.
That notion was confirmed the millisecond Jessie entered the fire station.
Whitney may have been a vision in red, but his eyes were locked on Jessie.
She wore a pair of hip-hugging shorts that highlighted her toned legs.
Her tank top had a neckline that showed the perfect amount of cleavage, her hair was pulled back to highlight the kissable curve of her neck.
If he wasn’t careful, he’d throw his cane to the floor and crawl on hands and knees to get to her.
And after all that ogling and pining, how did he greet the love of his life?
By being cold and offering one-word answers, like an asshole.
“Pull yourself together, man,” Malcolm groaned, running a hand down his face.
He was starting to sweat in the crowded room, fatigue only weighing him down further.
He’d never admit this to anyone, but he was already pushing his strength for the day.
What was worse, he knew Jessie had noticed before she’d even said hello.
Javi saddled up beside him, his usual careful demeanor muted. “Hey, that’s my line.” He sighed, shoulders slumping forward. “I don’t know how much more of this I can take.”
Misunderstanding, Malcolm promised, “It’s going well, man. Lola has some great ideas, and everything will be tasteful and fun.”
“I don’t give a shit about the calendar, Smithy. My heart is breaking over here.” Javi punched his own chest to punctuate his point. “Lola doesn’t even know I exist. It’s killing me.”
Malcolm scoffed, but he couldn’t really argue.
Lola was putting out some very clear signals that even a blind man could see.
“I dunno,” he wagered, hoping his buddy would come around.
“I mean, she’s on the clock right now. It’s probably not the best time to be laying down your A game. ” Or F game if he were being honest ...
Javi crossed his arms over his chest. “Huh, I never thought of that.”
“Think about it.” Malcolm cleared his throat. “You’ve only ever seen her on the job. Maybe chill a bit before we all go out to book club? Then you can gauge how she’s reacting?”
“That’s a good point. Thanks, Smithy. I actually feel better.” Slowly, his signature grin slid back in place, his eyes recovering their twinkle.
Malcolm relaxed, sensing he was telling the truth. “Good, now let’s get ready.”
They followed the group into the garage, where half of the team was already dressed in their uniforms or bunker gear for the shoot.
After a few days of emails, Lola, Javi, and Malcolm decided that each firefighter could pick their own theme.
Trevor had decided to pose with Gus in his dress blues, while Malcolm and Javi would do a “buddy shot” of them laughing in their Pinegrove FD T-shirts—which would conveniently be available for sale.
Maxwell was due any minute with her kids, opting for a family-style photo by one of the engines.
George had chosen an action shot of him sliding down the pole, which Calvin enthusiastically approved.
The latter was at the station before Lola even arrived, and it wasn’t lost on Malcolm that he’d taken just as many photos as Lola had.
Lola set up a tripod and a lighting stand in the corner, walking Chief through his photo. He’d decided to sit behind the wheel of their biggest truck, a stern expression on his face. Or, as stern as the sweetheart man could look.
Jessie stood in the far corner of the garage, talking with Whitney. Malcolm didn’t miss the way her gaze kept darting around them, ping-ponging between Malcolm and Lola. He knew his girl; she was jealous. This was the same pout she wore before she realized Maxwell was his partner.
A tiny flame of hope took hold in his gut, and Malcolm prayed he could rally and approach her without being gruff. Sometimes though, it was hard to separate the past from the present. There had been so much happening lately, and Malcolm feared his heart couldn’t handle the yoyo roller coaster ride.
Trevor finished his photos first, quickly dashing over to spend time with Whitney.
The pair fussed over Gus until Trevor turned his attention to his sister.
He said something that got Jessie talking, her hands waving as she spoke.
She was clearly excited, and that flame of desire burned out when he assumed she was talking about her promotion.
Lord, he couldn’t go through this anymore.
Forcing himself to turn around, he walked over to Lola, who was setting up his and Javi’s shot.
“All right, boys,” she said, pointing at a stack of helmets, rolls of hoses, a few axes, and an array of fire extinguishers.
“Why don’t you each put on a helmet, and maybe a hose?
” She cocked her head, deep in thought. “On second thought, the hose might be too suggestive. Let’s start with the helmets and maybe an ax? ”
Once Malcolm pulled his helmet on, Lola frowned. “What’s the matter?” he asked, adjusting the chin strap so it fit snugly.
She clicked a few photos and shook her head. “I guess the flaw in this plan is that no one will see your gorgeous curls.”
Javi yanked his helmet off and fluffed his own hair, a rogue curl falling perfectly down the center of his forehead. “How about we try a few like this?” He winked, leaning closer. Malcolm didn’t miss the heated look the pair exchanged, but it was gone in a blink.
Lola shook herself and gestured toward the tailgate of their ambulance.
“Yeah, um. Let’s try over here in this lighting.
” She headed toward the vehicle, only to stumble over a traffic cone.
Javi was at her side in a heartbeat, carefully steadying her by the shoulders.
“Thanks,” she breathed, and Malcolm took her reaction as a good sign.
For the next ten minutes, she had Javi and Malcom try various positions and expressions. By the time they were done, both men were holding their sides as they burst out laughing. It felt amazing to be back at the station, and even better to be laughing again.
Maxwell and her children bounded in through the back door, Juniper running circles around Gus. “Doggie!” she cried, clapping her hands until Maxwell put little Jack down.
She blew a lock of hair off her face and sighed. “Yes, Junie. It’s a doggie.” She turned to Lola and circled a finger around her face. “Please tell me I have time for makeup. Our day got away from us, and I refuse to look as tired as I feel.”
Whitney materialized at her side, hoisting her purse in the air. “I’ve got you, girl. I’m unofficially here for hair and makeup.”
Maxwell covered her heart and choked up. “I love you, thank you. I spent the whole drive here peeling paste out of my hair.” She looked at Trevor and teased, “Sorry, Cap. I think I’m stealing your girl.”
Trevor smirked. “I’ll allow it for a few minutes.” He blew a kiss to Whitney, and Jessie made a snarky retort.
Lola chuckled, checking a few settings on her camera. “I get it. I’m a single mom, and I know sometimes the smallest things feel like a chore.”
Beaming, Maxwell asked, “How many kids do you have?”
Lola returned the smile and said, “Only the one. Katie just turned nine, and she’s really enjoying getting settled into our new home.” She opened her mouth to continue, but the chief hollered her name. “I’ll get some shots with a few others while you prep. Holler when you’re ready.”
Maxwell shot a thumbs-up and then took Whitney’s hand and dragged her to the ladies’ room.
Malcolm looked for Jessie again, finding her deep in conversation with Trevor. He understood they hadn’t seen each other as much since she’d been home. Yet they spoke in hushed tones that made the hairs on Malcolm’s neck stand on end.
He took the opportunity to find a seat, easing back so he could eavesdrop like the creep he was apparently becoming.
“I think that’s great,” Trevor said, his smile broad. “This job will be a perfect fit for you, Jessie. I’m proud of you.”
Jessie tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. Malcolm’s fingers itched with the need to touch her, even if it was just for a second. “You don’t think it’s ridiculous? I mean, is it a good gig?”
Trevor rested his hands on her shoulders. He dipped his head so they were eye-level. “Don’t be a fool, go with it!”
Jessie’s bottom lip trembled as she pulled her brother in for a hug. Malcolm had to look away, already feeling guilty for sticking his nose where it didn’t belong. They were clearly discussing her promotion, and a tiny part of him was happy for her.