Searching for Harmony (Boston Love 1)

“Dig in,” Preston said with a smile.

Chewing on my bottom lip, I asked, “Um…is Nutella good?”

Preston’s mouth dropped open as he stared at me.

“You’ve never had Nutella? Like, ever?”

Pressing my lips together so I didn’t giggle, I shook my head.

Preston leaned back in his chair and put his hand over his heart. “I’ve so much to teach you. So much.”

Swallowing hard, I felt my face flush.

Oh, the things I wanted Preston to teach me.

Chapter 10

Nutella and Baseball

Preston

Sitting back in the chair, I stared at Harmony in disbelief. That is, until her eyes turned dark and she licked her lips. Leaning forward again, I cleared my throat. “I can’t believe you’ve never had the pleasure of eating Nutella. This is a landmark occasion. You’re gonna wanna put this down on your calendar as the day I changed your life.”

Harmony laughed and picked up the brioche and took a bite. Her eyes lit up before she closed them and she let out a moan that moved through my entire body.

Friends. Just friends.

“Holy crap. This is amazing. It’s like…chocolate!”

Laughing, I picked up my brioche and gestured to her. “I told you, it’s the most amazing dessert ever.”

After finishing up our desserts, we headed over to the station. I wasn’t sure why Harmony wanted to see where I worked, but it warmed my heart. Sherry never once asked to see where I worked. She of course did see where I worked, but she couldn’t have cared less. She hated what I did, but I loved it. I was proud of my job. At least I used to be. Now all I had were mixed emotions and I felt like I wasn’t sure about anything anymore.

Stopping in front of the station, I gave Harmony a weak smile. “This is it. Engine 37 and Ladder 26.” Smiling back at me, she asked the one question I was hoping she wouldn’t.

“Can we go inside?”

Tightening my hands into fists, I quickly loosened them. “Um, sure, if you want to.”

The bay doors were open so we walked in. Immediately in front of us was Sharp. Cursing under my breath, I slowly inhaled and let it back out.

Turning, Sharp gave me a smile from ear to ear. “Ward, you don’t know what it means to take a day off.”

Letting out a nervous laugh, I tilted my head and raised an eyebrow. Stopping directly in front of Sharp and a few other guys, I said a silent prayer they wouldn’t put two and two together. Sharp walked away from the other guys, who were all playing a card game.

“Mitchel Sharp, this is Harmony Banks, a friend of mine. She wanted to see where I worked.”

Reaching his hand out for Harmony’s, Sharp gave her a polite smile. “Harmony, huh? That’s a beautiful name.”

Harmony blushed and changed her posture just a bit. “I can’t take the credit on that one. My mother came up with it.”

I watched as Sharp’s eyes moved across Harmony’s body. Glancing back at me, he said, “So you guys are just friends, huh?”

Before I even had a chance to respond, Harmony laughed. “Yes! Very much just friends. Preston is being a gentleman of a guy and spending the day with me to cure my hangover.”

I wasn’t sure why Harmony’s words hurt more than I thought they should. Sharp smiled bigger. “I see. So, Harmony, how about I show you around?”

Smiling, Harmony went to speak but looked at me. Her smile faded briefly before she turned and looked around. That’s when I noticed the pain in my jaw from clenching my teeth together.