“I appreciate that, Cap. So, what do I have to do?”
Captain Ryan handed me a card. “You’ll meet with Pricilla on Wednesday at noon. Offer to take her to lunch to talk about things, got it?”
“Will do.”
As he made his way out of the kitchen, he called over his shoulder, “Check the bread, Maggio, something is burning.”
I rushed over to the oven as I yelled out, “Fuck!”
Iwalked up to the main circulation desk of the central library and waited for the older woman to notice me. When she looked up, she smiled.
“Why, if it isn’t a handsome man in uniform. What can I help you with, darlin’?”
Keeping my chuckle buried inside, I winked at her, causing her to blush. “Flattery will get you everywhere, ma’am.”
She waved me off. “I’m too old for you. Tell me what you want.”
“I’ve got an appointment with Pricilla at noon. I’m from Engine 37.”
Her eyes lit up. “The firefighter who is helping with this year’s Christmas fundraiser. How wonderful. I do believe I’ve seen you here with your daughter before.”
A wide grin crossed my face at the mention of Noel. “Yes, you have.”
“Didn’t know you were a first responder. Thank you kindly for your service. Now follow me and I’ll show you to the meeting room.”
“Thank you,” I said as I followed her.
Stopping at a door, she motioned for me to head on in, then cheerfully said, “Happy planning!”
“Thank you!” I said as I opened the door and stepped inside. A woman was bent over looking at something that was spread out over the table. The pencil skirt showed off her back side, and I nearly moaned at the sight in front of me.
Clearing my throat, she stood, and I caught a quick glance of her hourglass figure. My heart dropped to my stomach. I’d know that luscious figure anywhere.
When she turned around, her smile dropped and mine grew bigger. It wasn’t Pricilla. It was Emma.
Smiling, I tilted my head and said, “You’re not Pricilla.”
Her eyes went wide as she let her gaze travel over my body. “You’re…you’re a…um…you’re…”
“A firefighter I believe are the words you’re looking for.” I folded my arms over my chest. “And you’re sure you have a master’s degree?”
Blinking a few times, Emma finally found her voice. “You never told me you were a firefighter.”
I shrugged. “You never asked.”
“Why in the world would I ask that?”
“Maybe instead of jumping to conclusions about people, you should take the time to talk and get to know them instead.”
Emma tossed her hands up in the air. “I said I was sorry. What do you want me to do? Get down on my knees in front of you.”
I had to hold back the comment I wanted to make, but Emma clearly saw the dirty thought that had rushed through my head.
She snarled her lip. “Ugh. Seriously?”
“What? I didn’t say a word, it was your dirty mind that went there.”
Spinning around, she started to pace. She looked so freaking beautiful I couldn’t pull my eyes off her. Her brown hair was pulled up and piled on top of her head in some weird twist. I liked it when she wore it down and her crazy curls had a mind of their own. I couldn’t see her eyes since she was pacing, but I could imagine they were on fire.
