“You’re lucky to have found a job you love so much,” I said.
“It gives me purpose,” he replied. “I suppose that’s what I was searching for this whole time. I just didn’t realize it until firefighting found me.”
“Purpose,” I repeated. “What does it feel like to have it?”
“It feels like…you’re complete,” he replied.
I smiled for a moment. “Phil…”
“Yes?”
“I have to go now.”
“Now?” He sounded surprised. We had only been talking for about half an hour, and that was a short conversation for us.
“Brent wants his room back, and I’m tired, so I wanna get to bed early today,” I lied.
“Oh…okay, sure.”
“Goodnight.”
“Goodnight,” Phil replied.
I wondered if it was disappointment I was hearing in his voice or if that was simply wishful thinking on my part. Either way, I needed to do some soul-searching. Because I was missing something in my life, and apparently, that something was purpose.
Chapter Five
Phil
I sat down opposite Kendrick and reached my hand out to take a couple of chips from the bag he was eating from.
“I have a question for you,” I said.
“Shoot,” Kendrick said.
“What would you do if there was this girl you liked?” I asked. “But she was off limits?”
He raised his eyebrows. “Wait, this isn’t a question…it’s advice.”
“What?”
“You’re coming to me for advice?” Kendrick sounded exceptionally pleased with himself.
I rolled my eyes. “And, I’m starting to regret it.”
“I would have thought you’d go to Mel or Ryan,” he continued, seeming to have forgotten that I actually required an answer from him.
“Maybe I should,” I said pointedly.
“I’ve always been great at giving advice, you know,” he continued.
“I wouldn’t know considering you haven’t actually given me any advice yet,” I said, narrowing my eyes at him.
Kendrick gave me a sheepish smile that was completely unapologetic. “What was your problem again?”
I shook my head at him. “There’s this girl I might be interested in,” I said. “But I think she may be off limits.”
Kendrick frowned. “You might be interested in her?” he asked. “You’re not sure?”