12. Epilogue
Maya | Two Weeks Later
T he gentle ache in my thighs has nothing to do with double workouts at the gym anymore. Not since Mack discovered how much I love it when he pins me against the wall, my legs wrapped around his waist. My cheeks warm at the memory of last night at his place as I slide into my usual spot at the crew table this morning, grateful none of my colleagues can read minds.
When I grab the box of my favorite cereal and pour a generous helping, a folded note tumbles into my bowl along with the flakes. I can’t help but grin as I pluck it out. Mack’s forever leaving little surprises around the station for me to find. Just last week, he somehow convinced the entire C shift to rearrange the weight room equipment so everything was at my perfect height. I still catch hell from the guys about that one.
“Another love note from Romeo?” Jake asks, dropping into the chair next to me. “Please tell me this one isn’t as explicit as the one you found in your turnout boots.”
My face heats. That particular note was…descriptive. “You shouldn’t have been snooping over my shoulder.”
“It’s not my fault you dropped it during morning lineup.”
“You’re just jealous because some of us are getting action on the regular,” I shoot back, earning a chorus of “oohs” from around the table.
Brock nearly chokes on his coffee. “She’s got you there.”
Jake’s recent dry spell has been a hot topic of conversation lately. Mr. March claims he’s intentionally taking a break from women, but Mack explained that Jake and Brock’s sister, Charlotte, have some history . And, with her around more and more lately since the wedding only a few weeks away, Jake is in a mood .
“Fine,” he admits gruffly, his fork halfway to his lips, “but let’s be honest, Brock and I are the ones who proved you can trust your crew to have your back. Mack just sealed the deal by being…” he waves his fork vaguely, “…well, Mack.”
“I think we deserve some credit,” Brock adds, leaning back in his chair. “We were the ones who could tell from your first day here that you had skills.”
I duck my head because they’re right. They deserve some of the credit, not that I’ll admit that aloud. While Mack may have stolen my heart, Jake and Brock helped me find my place here. They still make me feel as if I belong here every single day.
I don’t need the defensive walls I built at other stations. I don’t have to prove anything to anyone. I’m seen and respected here. And loved.
I reach for the milk.
“Don’t let it go to your heads,” I say. “Chief’s the one who sets the tone around here.” I shoot Jake a pointed look. “Though… I’m pretty sure Mack threatening to break every bone in your bodies if anything happens to me on shift might have something to do with how overprotective you two have gotten lately.”
I unfold Mack’s note, my heart doing that ridiculous flutter thing it still does whenever I see his familiar scrawl and the cute doodle of Smokey he usually includes.
Missing you, sunshine. Can’t wait to see you in that dress at the wedding.
Jake leans over, scanning the note.
“Please tell me you two won’t be making out on the dance floor all night at the wedding,” he groans, but the click of heels on concrete interrupts his complaint.
Brock’s sister, Charlotte, breezes in, carrying a tray of coffee cups, her long dark waves bouncing. “Special delivery for New York’s bravest.” Her smile is bright but sours when she spots Jake. “Oh. You’re here.”
“Where else would I be, princess?” Jake drawls. “Some of us actually work for a living.”
“Oh, honey,” Charlotte says, pressing a hand to her chest with theatrical flair, “I’m the one memorizing lines while making lattes, whereas, from what I can tell, you struggle to remember which month you’re supposed to be shirtless for.”
I hide my grin behind my spoon while Jake looks as if he’s about to blow a gasket. The tension between these two is thicker than smoke at a three-alarm fire. I don’t know why they don’t just bang it out like Mack and I finally did.
“How’re the plans for the bachelorette party coming along?” I ask Charlotte, partly to save Jake from himself and partly because thinking about the wedding reminds me of the sky-high heels I bought yesterday. The ones that will make my legs look a mile long. I should definitely take a picture to tuck into Mack’s locker…
“Perfect. Hope you’re ready for some fun!” she says in what I’ve come to learn is her typical singsong voice.
“Ready as I’m going to be,” I assure her, catching Jake’s exaggerated eye roll. I have my doubts about whether I’ll be able to keep up with Libby, Zoe, and Charlotte, but I’m glad to be invited.
“I can’t wait for the wedding, either. The weather this time of year in Vermont is gorgeous ,” she says, drawing out the word as she distributes coffees around the table. “Though Libby’s about ready to murder Brock over the seating chart.”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” Chief says, appearing in the doorway. “Thorne, got a minute?”
The crew keeps chatting while I follow Chief into the hallway. “The department’s Excellence in Service nominations came out this morning,” he says. “You’re on the shortlist.”
My heart skips a beat. The wall of recognition. There’s a chance I could have a plaque on there?
“Thank you for the nomination, sir, I—” I stammer, remembering how I’d stared at that wall my first day, desperately wanting to prove I belonged. Now, my throat tightens as I realize I already do.
“Wasn’t me,” he says with a slight smile. “Brock put your name forward. Wrote about that kitchen fire rescue last month, saying it was one of the smoothest extractions he’s seen.”
Warmth spreads through my chest. I don’t need their approval anymore, but damn, if it doesn’t feel good. I can’t wait to tell Mack. And Shannon. In a daze, I head back into the kitchen as Charlotte gives Brock a quick hug on her way out.
“I’ve got a dress fitting to get to. Maya, I’ll see you next weekend. And Jake?” she adds, shooting him a saccharine smile. “Do try to remember that, even though Brock and Libby are tying the knot at a resort in the middle of the forest, you’re supposed to be wearing a tux at the wedding, not posing shirtless with an axe.”
“That’s all you got?” he calls after her. From down the hallway, we hear an echo of her delighted laugh. Jake stabs his eggs as if they’ve personally offended him. I sink into my chair, unable to stop smiling.
“What’s got you looking so pleased?” Brock asks around a mouthful of toast.
“Just thinking about how different things are from my first day here.” I meet his eyes. “Thank you, by the way. For the nomination.”
He shrugs. “You earned it. Though I notice you’re not quite as fierce since Mack started making you smile like that.”
“Oh, I’m still fierce,” I correct, thinking of how Mack and I went at it last night. “Just channeling it differently these days.”
***
Thank you so much for reading Flashpoint Feelings! I hope you enjoyed Maya & Mack's journey to happily ever after!