Chapter 69
Tristan
Nick is inspecting the ambulance when I arrive at work. There’s no way he heard me walk into the apparatus bay, but, like he senses my presence, he turns and smiles widely when he sees me.
I don’t even care that there are still some firefighters from the last shift, who don’t really know us, milling about, gathering their things. I run right up to him, drop my duffel, wrap my arms around his neck, and kiss him.
He stiffens in surprise at first, but then softens into the kiss, wrapping his strong arms around me and pulling me close.
One of the firefighters from the previous shift catcalls us, and I lift my middle finger without opening my eyes.
“Well, good morning to you, too,” Nick says when I break off our kiss. “I take it you’re feeling a little better today?”
“I really am,” I say.
He is so handsome.
I’ve known this since the moment we met in the Anvil, since I realized that we work together, but have I ever really taken the time to appreciate just how gorgeous he is?
“You’re really beautiful,” I find myself saying.
He laughs. “You’re not drunk at seven in the morning, are you?”
“No, don’t worry. Just… enamored.”
He lifts a dark eyebrow. “Enamored, huh?”
“Mmhmm.”
“Interesting.”
I smile. “Very.”
“Well, Mr. Enamored, do you want to help me inspect the ambulance?”
“Nothing I’d rather do! I have to change first.”
He grins. “Can I watch?”
I swat his arm. “Don’t be bad.”
I grab my duffel bag. “You know,” I say, pausing, “I was thinking. Would you want to take a weekend off soon, you and me, and go down to Los Angeles? I want to be in slightly warmer weather for a bit. And…. And I think I have some unfinished business there. I’d like you to be there with me while I finish it. ”
He looks touched. “Are you sure?”
I nod. “Absolutely positively sure.”
“All right, then. We’ll talk to Cap and see when we can both take off some days together.”
“Think she’ll hate us?”
“Nah. I don’t think Cap is capable of hate.”