But here I am, stuck in this damn monkey suit doing my duty as local firefighter.
I would give just about anything to be working tonight. Those lucky bastards on duty are the only ones on the whole roster of firefighters in town who got a reprieve from the evening’s festivities.
My attention is drawn to the far side of the ballroom where a certain fiery redhead walks into the room.
Sienna always steals my focus, but tonight she’s something else. Her petite curves are hugged to perfection in a deep green gown that makes my mouth water.
She is easily the most beautiful woman in Aspen Springs, not that she has any clue. Glancing around the room, I’m clearly not the only person noticing her entrance.
I try my best to suppress the urge to growl at all the other men who dare to glance her way. Not for the first time, I have to remind myself that she is not mine. Nor will she ever be.
Being a single dad doesn’t really lend itself to fostering new relationships. Yes, I have a crush on her. And that’s where it must remain because my life is complicated—way more complicated than she deserves.
She pauses, glancing over her shoulder at Grayson, who is a few steps behind her. They share a heavy look that I can’t decipher from this far away.
The reason behind their tension is unclear, but the same palpable chemistry has been present since I moved here a few years ago. I really think she wants him to believe she hates him, but she clearly doesn’t.
When she faces forward and struts across the room, a myriad of emotions play across her features. She’s clearly trying to hide what she’s really feeling, but I swear I see a glimmer of longing peeking through her mask.
My phone vibrates in my pocket. Pulling it out, I see it’s a text from the babysitter who’s with Jackson right now.
>> Just wanted to let you know, he’s asleep. He was an angel all night.
I smile, typing out my reply. I’m not surprised. I lucked out in the kid department. Jackson is very quiet, but he’s my kid, so it tracks. I rarely need to discipline him at all.
>> I’m glad he was good for you. I’ll be home in a few hours, as soon as it’s acceptable for me to leave.
Sighing, I jam my phone back in my pocket. I cringe, taking a sip of my now-flat beer. I toss it into a trash can and move to lean against the bar until the bartender can make her way over to me.
Fiery red locks brush against my arm. If the hair color wasn’t enough to give her away, her presence alone would have done it.
It’s Sienna.
Peeking to the side, I see her green eyes gazing up at me.
“Hi, Warren,” she says, giving me a warm smile. “You look nice tonight.”
I hope my beard disguises the warmth spreading up my neck and over my cheeks. “Thank you.”
Even in her heels, she’s still almost a foot shorter than me.Fuck, she’s stunning.
The green of her dress makes her eyes pop against the red hair that I very much want to rake my fingers through.
“You look gorgeous,” I say, unable to take my eyes off her. Even when the bartender makes her way over, I don’t divert my eyes. “An IPA and a white wine please,” I tell her.
Sienna moves to tuck her hair behind her ear, realizing it’s already pinned back with a jeweled clip. “How did you know that’s what I wanted?”
I shrug, not wanting to sound like a total creeper. “It’s what you were buying at the liquor store that one night I ran into you there.”
I’m not going to add that I remember her drinking it last year at this event.
“Oh, okay.” Her smile returns.
“Is that what you were going to order?”
“It was.”
Normally, when I talk this much with someone, I start to feel drained. With her, it just feels natural, not like it’s exhausting me.
