A slow smile spreads across his face. "I knew it. I knew you were hiding something."
"It's not like I'm hiding it," I argue. "I'm just not sure where it's going and I don't need you all up in my business while I try to figure it out." Ash looks like he wants to interject further, but I hold up my hand. "Seriously, I have to work my way through this. Can't always have you holding my hand, honey."
He chuckles, throwing me a smile. "Alright, if you need anything though, let me know."
He finally gets up and heads over to the commons area. Now that I'm alone again, I flip my phone back over.
Amy: So what's this I'm hearing about Christmas in July?
Me: It's one of the biggest events in Midnight Cove, even bigger than the 4th of July.
Amy: Bigger than 4th of July? We went to the big fireworks show, and it was pretty large.
Me: Yeah, that's mostly out-of-towners who aren't even staying here for the summer. They head out here from inland. Christmas in July is where it's at, and I think Rosa would love it.
Amy: Okay, I'm sold. When is it and when do we get to go?
Perfect. This is exactly what I wanted her to ask.
Me: It starts tomorrow, but the big stuff starts on Friday. Just so happens I'm off that day. Would you like to spend it with me? I might have Cora, I'm not sure yet.
Amy: We'd love to. Rosa keeps asking about Cora. She'd love to see her again.
Me: What about you? Would you like to see me again?
Amy: I would. Gunner, this is dangerous.
That's not what I like to hear. I don't want her to be scared of what's brewing between us. Most of the time, everyone knows me as the charismatic guy, but I realize more than anyone what this means. So I turn on that charm, and hope like hell that she responds.
Me: Dangerous can be good, right?
Amy: Part of me wants to say no, but I can't help but think yes. I never had dangerous with my husband, so maybe I'm looking for something else.
Me: There's nothing wrong with that if you are. I'm not him, but I'm also not intimidated by the memory of him. I hope you know that.
And maybe that's wrong of me to say, but it's true. There's no living up to a dead man, and I don't even want to try. There's no way I'll win, so I'll have to show her my merit on me, and me alone.
Amy: I'm glad you aren't.
Me: So back to Christmas in July? Will you and Rosa do me the honor of coming with me?
She hesitates, I can see the three dots appear, and then they go away, before appearing again. She's obviously struggling with what to say as an answer, and I'm worried that I've pushed her too far, too fast.
Amy: Yeah, we will, but you have to promise to be understanding. It'll be the first time we've been to an event like that since my husband died.
That makes me sad for both of them. Death among first responders isn't necessarily considered normal, but we deal with enough. It's not easy to move on from hard parts, but especially here in the fire department we try to make the ones who are left feel as if they still have family. Apparently this didn't happen where Amy is from.
Me: Perfect. I'll pick y'all up on Friday at six? They'll start lighting stuff up at night.
Amy: Sounds good.
Putting my phone down, I scrub a hand over my stubble, and wonder if what I'm doing is right. Am I prepared to get involved with a woman and her child? Both of them have had incredible losses. Am I the person who can help them? Who can put a smile back on their faces? I think so. I hope so. And if they're willing to give me a chance, I'll prove it to them.
CHAPTER TWELVE
AMY
"You're sure you don't wanna come with us?" I ask Eve, glancing at her as I put my hair up. "I'm sure Gunner wouldn't mind."
