“It’ll be fine. Don’t worry.” I shook my head back and forth.
“Okay, I trust you…” His words trailed off.
“Yep, so trust me to handle this, and you enjoy your vacation.” I tried to put a little cheer in my voice.
“I’ll try. I love you, Rachel.” He exhaled sharply.
“Love you too, Dad. Go have fun!” I chuckled under my breath.
While I do the exact opposite… Damn it, why couldn’t it have been anyone other than Gerard?
4
Gerard
Gerard
“So, are you going to tell me what that’s about?” Liam looked over at me once Rachel left.
“What do you mean?” I walked in with another round of beers and handed him one.
“You and Rachel.” He motioned towards the spot she was sitting. “She looked like she had seen a ghost when you walked in—your reaction was similar.”
“Oh.” I nodded and sighed. “I guess you could say we have a history.”
“Seriously?” Liam’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “You—banged Billy’s little sister?”
“Well, I’m sure you noticed that she’s not exactly the girl we used to see every time we went over to his house in high school.” I shrugged and sipped my beer. “It was a couple of years ago anyway. I doubt it meant anything to her.”
“I think you’re wrong about that—judging by her reaction.” Liam shook his head back and forth.
Yeah, and she meant something to me too, but I was an asshole and never called her after I got her in my bed.
Two years ago
“Excuse me, miss. I’m looking for—oh, hey!” My face lit up when I realized the woman standing behind the counter at the candle store was someone I knew from high school.
“Gerard?” She immediately smiled. “Wow, it’s been a while. How are you doing?”
“I’m good.” I nodded, but I was immediately captivated by the beautiful woman’s smile. “I didn’t know you worked here.”
“Yep, I’m working here part-time over the holiday break, trying to save some money for college.” She nodded quickly. “Candles are popular this time of the year.”
“Don’t I know it.” I exhaled sharply. “I’m actually looking for the kind that doesn’t burn—the ones that just melt.”
“Oh, a candle warmer? Those are over here.” She stepped out from behind the counter. “I’ll show you.”
“Thanks…” My eyes took in her curves once the counter didn't hide her, and then it wasn’t just her smile that was captivating me.
“You’re shopping for someone who doesn’t like regular candles?” She looked over her shoulder as we approached the section of the store with the candle warmers.
“More of a personal thing.” I grimaced slightly. “I’m a firefighter now. I’ve seen what a real candle can do when it’s left unattended—hard for me to give someone a gift that could burn down their house.”
“Our candles all come in jars, so they aren’t just going to fall over…” She raised an eyebrow.
“It’s still a hazard, especially when people forget about them.” I shrugged. “I just see the worst-case scenarios.”
“Well, the candle warmers certainly won’t set anyone’s house on fire—I hope.” She pointed to the selection in front of us.