"She sounds like wise woman," I said. "Does she live in Chicago, too?"
"Um, no," Alex said looking down at the table and for the first time becoming quiet. In a low voice, she said, "She passed away a few years ago."
"I'm so sorry," I said reaching out to touch her hand. Alex pulled back before looking up and nodding.
"Thanks. Me, too," she said letting me know that the topic wasn't open for discussion. I understood wanting to keep things compartmentalized and respected it, so I changed the subject and started talking about the firehouse. After a few minutes of my monologue, Alex relaxed and began asking questions about how everything worked.
"Do you want a tour of the station?" I asked.
"Oh gosh, I'd love that!" she said. "But can you do that when you're on duty?"
"I'm not on duty now," I said. "And we're right next door, so now's as good a time as any."
I paid the bill over her protests that we should split it telling her that next time she could pick up the check, but that I was raised to be a gentleman, and since I'd asked her out it was my treat. She laughed and said she appreciated the logic of my answer, and promised that she'd treat me next time. I liked the sound of that -- next time.
We walked next door and found that the crew was just sitting down to dinner after a routine call to a medical emergency. I waved to the guys and told them that I was just taking a new nursing student on a tour so she could see how we operated, and after a few teasing comments, proceeded to do just that.
"Do you guys really slide down a pole from the top floor or is that just a Hollywood thing?" she asked as I showed her the bunkroom upstairs.
"No, we really do slide down if we're up here sleeping," I laughed. "Want to try it?"
"Can I?" she asked looking up at me with her eyes shining again. I found myself unable to look away as I nodded. I stepped closer to her holding my breath and knowing that there was nothing in the world I wanted more right at that moment than to kiss her.
Alex held my gaze as I lifted my hand up and softly cupped her cheek before bending down and lightly brushing my lips across hers. I heard a soft hum escape her lips as she pressed back against mine and kissed me harder. She rested her hands on my chest as I pulled her closer and continued kissing her. I could feel the blood rushing away from my brain as my pants became tighter. My thoughts raced as I felt her tongue gently flicking my bottom lip before she gently bit it.
I wanted her. I wanted her there and then, and just as I was about to make a choice that would not have been a good one, the station alarm sounded and the familiar voice said, "Engine One, Truck One, Ambulance Fifty-Five, car fire at the intersection of LaSalle Street and Wacker Drive. Two people trapped."
"Alex, I'm sorry," I said as I stepped back and searched her face for signs of disappointment. "I think we need to go."
"Yes," she nodded slowly. "I need to get home and study for the exam I have later this week."
"Are you okay?" I asked.
"Yeah, fine," she said not giving anything away before she put on a bright smile and said, "Let's go, shall we?"
I led her out of the station and we stood and watched as the trucks took off toward the call.
"It's pretty impressive," she said as she climbed into the truck and fastened her seatbelt.
"Yeah, I've been on the job for ten years, and I still feel that same overwhelming pride every time I climb up on the truck to go to a call," I nodded. "Most of the guys do, and the ones who don't are the ones who know it's time to get out."
"I imagine it's that way with any career, or anything at all, don't you?" she asked. "If you're not excited about it, then what's the point?"
"Good point," I nodded as I started the truck. "Where can I drop you off?"
She gave me her address and I drove her home in an oddly comfortable silence. I pulled up in front of her building and prepared to walk her to her door.
"No, it's okay," she said pointing to a second floor balcony. "My apartment is right there, you don't need to escort me."
"Alex, I really enjoyed this," I began uncertain if she wanted to see me again.
"I did, too, Cam," she smiled. "Next time it's my treat, though. Don't forget."
"Okay, that's good to know," I said before adding, "But, um, could I get your phone number?"
"Huh?" she replied.
"If we're going to go out again, I'd rather call you to arrange it than having to take a chance on running into you at the hospital," I said as she burst into laughter.