That Hot Night

“Nope. Cause there’s nothing to tell.”

“Damn, it’s like that huh?” Jase huffed out a laugh and shook his head. “I told Bo you’d be a tougher nut than Janey.”

“Or maybe there’s nothing there, and the matchmakers are just trying to psych you out.”

He glared at me for a long moment, and then he shrugged and walked out of my office. Whistling. Like a maniac. But that was Jase, as easy going as they come.

Finally, I could turn my attention back to Janey.

I do wish. But what are you wearing…really?

You first.

I smiled at the screen and shook my head. Nothing but my turnout gear.

She sent two words that brought a smile to my face. Prove it.

Just as I was about to respond, a call came through quickly followed by the alarm. Duty was the only thing that didn’t trump Janey these days, so I shoved my phone in my pocket and went to manage the chaos.JaneyProve it. What in the hell was I thinking, sending a message like that to a guy like Rafe? It was as good as waving a red flag in front of a bull. Except this bull was six plus feet of sexy firefighter, and not at all color blind. I’d argue that Rafe saw everything, whether you wanted him to or not. It was what made him so good with women, he knew exactly how to give a girl what she wanted. And make sure she came panting back for more.

Like me. Obviously. All the signs were there to say this was a bad idea, to remind me of our first encounter and the immediate aftermath. But for some reason I didn’t care. I wanted Rafe. I wanted him again and like I’d never wanted another person, no matter how much it might hurt later.

But none of that mattered, because we were just flirting. Having fun because that’s who Rafe was, a good time guy. Sure, he was the responsible Fire Chief with all that entailed, but personally he was light and care-free. It was appealing in a way because I knew what to expect from Rafe, or rather what not to expect, which was love and commitment. And that was fine with me.

Wasn’t it?

I couldn’t decide. And it was agonizing. As I sat in the office of my photo studio, editing my last photo shoot, I wondered what was holding me back. If there was no hope of Rafe falling for me, then there was no good reason not to give in to him. Again.

Right?

I didn’t know, so I shoved all thoughts of Rafe out of my mind and got back to work. The bride and groom would leave on their honeymoon in less than a week and wanted something to show their family before they left. Weddings weren’t my favorite way to earn a living, but the work was steady and it paid well, which allowed me to pursue all my other photographic pursuits. The soothing sound of silence made it easy to push all thoughts of Rafe away while I first got rid of all the unusable photos and then prettied up the remaining shots. Bride’s orders.

The chime sounded over the entrance door to the studio and instinctively I stood, knowing that things were so laidback in Tulip that the visitor would either browse the photo gallery or come in search of me.

“Hello?”

There was no sound for a long moment and then the low clack of heels, not stilettos. A moment later Elizabeth appeared with a smile.

“Janey dear, there you are.”

I let out a long sigh, but tried hard to hide my annoyance at her appearance. I didn’t have anything against Elizabeth, but the matchmakers were on a mission and I didn’t have time to dodge them.

“Here I am, Elizabeth. What can I do for you?”

She shrugged, looking like she’d just stepped off the cover of a fashion magazine in her lightweight dress slacks and matching cardigan set, accessorized with pearls. Of course. “Well I was just walking by and saw you were open and that got me to wondering why you were in here when the biggest story to hit Tulip since the Hometown Heroes is out at the old grain mill?”

I’m pretty sure my eyes bugged out of my head at her words. “What? When did this happen?” I’d been texting with Rafe just a few minutes ago and he hadn’t said a word. Surely the fire house would have gotten a call?

“It’s happening right now, girl. The fire trucks rolled out about ten minutes ago. I thought you’d be headed out for photos. Or to see if that yummy Chief of yours is all right.” The smirk she wore was incorrigible and I had to shake my head. But it did explain why Rafe hadn’t responded to my last text.

“You girls don’t give up, do ya?”