Chapter 6 Vulcan #2
“Hey, Cap,” Harry says, appearing like a ghost at my elbow. His timing, as usual, is impeccable—and by that I mean terrible. I shoot him a look that could melt steel, but he just grins, completely oblivious to the moment he’s interrupted.
“Karina, you remember Harry?” I ask, still holding her close.
“Of course,” she says. “Lovely to see you again.”
“Likewise.” Harry’s eyes dart between us, and I can see the exact moment when realization dawns on him. “Oh, shit. I’m interrupting something, aren’t I?” He looks genuinely apologetic, which is the only thing saving him from my wrath right now.
“You are,” I tell him with a dry smile.
“Sorry. I’ll make myself scarce.” Harry starts to back away, but then pauses. “You two look great together.” He winks and disappears back into the crowd.
“He’s right, you know. We do look good to—”
“Dr. Reyes, Captain Montgomery. I’m so happy you two could make it.
” Sarah Fletcher, the brains behind the Heroes Gala and many more prestigious events that I try my best to avoid, is suddenly at our side, her eyes bright.
At some point, we migrated toward the outer boundary of the dance floor.
I plaster on a polite smile, trying to mask my annoyance at the interruption.
Karina steps back, putting some distance between us, and I immediately miss her warmth.
“Sarah, always a pleasure,” I say, shaking her hand. “You’ve outdone yourself with this event.”
“Oh, stop.” She laughs, waving off the compliment. “I’m just thrilled to see two of our city’s finest here together. You know, I’ve been trying to get the hospital and the fire department to collaborate for ages.”
Karina raises an eyebrow. “Is that so? I wasn’t aware of any new projects. Usually, the hospital keeps us informed about these things.”
“Oh, just a passion project I’ve been working on. I’ve been wanting to dip into philanthropy. But seeing you two here and looking so cozy on the dance floor gives me ideas.”
“I think you might be reading a bit too much into things,” I chime in.
“Am I?” She glances between us. “Because from where I’m standing, it looks like the start of a beautiful partnership. Both professionally and personally.”
Karina clears her throat. “I appreciate the thought, but I think we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Vulcan and I are just acquaintan—”
“Friends,” I say, cutting her off.
She looks up at me, her eyes searching mine. I’d never dream of bulldozing my way over a woman, but with Karina I want to stake some claim even as a friend.
“I-I wouldn’t go that far.”
“And why not? I thought we were making a connection?” I smirk, giving her my full attention now.
“We are, but it’s too soon to call this a friendship.” She widens her eyes in silent, amused warning, and takes a step back. I step forward.
“How about we—”
“Vulcan.” She pushes at my chest, and I freeze. “I’m going to go mingle with other people. We can catch up later.” Her eyes move to Sarah. “It is lovely to see you again.”
“Likewise. I’ll catch up with you shortly.
” Sarah winks at her before turning to me.
“You’ll go further if you dial it back a bit.
Dr. Reyes seems like the type to have a man wine and dine her first. But enough of my meddling, I’ve been meaning to ask about the progress on that new training program you mentioned?
I’m open to hosting an event to drum up some investors? ”
As Sarah draws me into a discussion about work, I keep Karina within my field of vision. I nod along politely as she details her ideas, but my eyes keep drifting, searching for emerald green and silky black in the sea of elegant dresses and tailored suits.
If I ask her out for a late bite after the gala, would she say yes?
Sarah’s moved on to new initiatives and communication strategies when I notice Karina standing by the bar with a man. She leans forward, laughing at something he says, and he touches her arm with an intimacy that smarts.
I have no right to be jealous. She’s not mine and is very much single.
I don’t know how much longer I can stand here listening to Sarah talk about funding and resources, so I offer a weak excuse, something about getting back to her with more details later.
Before she even responds, I’m across the room, unable to stop myself.
When I’m just a few feet away from Karina and the mystery man she’s so cozy with, my phone buzzes insistently in my pocket. I pull it out, glancing at the screen. It’s a message from one of my guys at the firehouse, telling me I’m needed back ASAP.
Part of me feels like running out would leave things with Karina hanging by a thread. Is she going to think I’m bailing again? Worse yet, will the guy at the bar swoop in? The thought gnaws at me as I shove my phone back into my pocket and head for the exit.
The instant my phone vibrates again, I know I need to leave, but I stand, paralyzed, for a split second.
Caught between the pull of Karina and the weight of obligation clanging in my pocket.
I pull out my phone again and scroll frantically through my contacts, hitting Karina’s name.
I type quickly, my thumb fumbling over the screen as I try to craft something that doesn’t make me sound like a complete asshole.
Me: Emergency at the station. Have to leave, but I don’t want you to think I’m ghosting you again. Can we talk tomorrow?
I hit send before I can second-guess myself, then immediately regret the wording. Too desperate? Not desperate enough? Christ, when did I become this pathetic.
As I stride away from the dance floor, I catch one last glimpse of Karina through the shifting crowd.
She doesn’t notice me. She’s focused on her companion, her hand wrapped around a slim glass of champagne, her posture poised but not rigid.
For a moment, I wonder if she’ll even care that I’ve vanished, or if she’ll just chalk it up to my legendary commitment to the job and move on.
With one last look, I sigh, pushing through the ballroom doors and into the warm night air, feeling like I’m abandoning something important. Something that might not be there when I get back.