"Exactly like—wait, what?" I sputtered, feeling heat rise in my cheeks.
Sabine grinned. "You heard me. You tease them with the smaller items, build anticipation, then hit them with the big-ticket stuff when they're all worked up."
Rex nodded sagely. "She's got a point. Psychology of desire and all that."
I looked around for Griffin, hoping for backup, but he was deep in conversation with Captain Doyle about equipment schedules. "I... yes, that's actually not a terrible analogy."
"Told you she was smart," Sabine said approvingly.
As the afternoon wore on, I found myself genuinely enjoying the work. Rex kept up a steady stream of stories about rescue missions gone hilariously wrong, while Sabineoffered sharp observations about everything from local politics to the best places to get coffee in town. They were nothing like the firefighters I'd imagined—they were funny, smart, and surprisingly sophisticated despite their rough edges.
"So what's the story with you and Griffin?" Sabine asked as we arranged wine bottles on the auction table.
"There's no story," I said quickly. "My car broke down, he gave me a ride. That's it."
"Uh-huh." Sabine's tone suggested she wasn't buying it. "And the way he keeps looking at you like you might disappear if he blinks?"
I glanced over to where Griffin was hefting equipment with Rex, his t-shirt straining across his broad shoulders. As if sensing my gaze, he looked up and caught my eye, that crooked smile appearing again.
"We're just... figuring things out," I admitted.
"Good," Sabine said firmly. "Griffin's a good man, but he's been alone too long. Thinks he doesn't deserve good things."
"Why would he think that?"
Sabine was quiet for a moment, arranging wine bottles with more attention than necessary. "Lost his mom when he was young. Car accident. It shaped him, you know? Made him think everyone he cares about is going to leave."
The revelation hit me with unexpected force. Griffin had mentioned his mother's death, but hearing it from Sabine's perspective—seeing how it had affected him long-term—added layers to my understanding of the man who'd rescued me from the desert.
"He doesn't talk about personal stuff. Ever. But something tells me you're different." Sabine studied my face. "Just... be patient with him, okay?"
Before I could respond, Captain Doyle appeared beside us. "Ladies, we need to get ready for tonight. The town's turning out in full force, and I want everyone looking their best."
By the time we finished setting up, the sun was beginning to set over the valley, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink that competed with the neon signs for attention. Griffin appeared at my elbow as I stepped back to survey our work.
"Not bad," he said, following my gaze over the auction display. "Very professional."
"Your crew is amazing," I said, watching Rex demonstrate proper poker stance to a group of elderly volunteers. "They've made me feel so welcome."
"They like you," Griffin said simply. "That's... rare."
There was something in his tone that made me look at him more closely. "Rare how?"
"I don't usually bring people here," he admitted. "This place is... it's important to me. These people are family."
The weight of what he was saying settled over me. He wasn't just showing me his hometown—he was showing me his heart.
"Thank you," I said softly. "For trusting me with this."
"We should head to my place so you can get ready," Griffin said, glancing at his watch. "The fundraiser starts in a couple hours."
"Your place?" I felt a flutter of nerves mixed with anticipation.
"I've got a guest room," he said quickly, though something heated flickered in his eyes. "You'll have privacy to get ready."
Rex bounded over with his characteristic enthusiasm. "Lila! Please tell me you packed something knockout for tonight.This crowd goes all out for casino night—we're talking serious glamour."
I mentally inventoried my suitcases. I'd packed for starting a new job at a respected winery—professional blazers, conservative blouses, tasteful dresses suitable for client meetings. But casino night glamour? That hadn't exactly been on my radar when I was planning my new life wardrobe.
