His question startles me, and a heat builds in my belly. Has Jace been talking about me?
“I’m Jerry. I met your friends when they came down the mountain.”
“Oh, yeah. They mentioned you. Thank you so much for getting them out of there.”
The man shrugs, like it’s no big deal, but it is. “I’m glad they found us and could tell us to search for you. But we appreciate the sweets. Don’t tell anybody, but I have a massive sweet tooth.”
“Dude, it’s not a secret.” A man I haven’t seen before walks up from behind us. He nods, smiles and reaches out his hand. “Hi, I’m Bastian. Thank you for the baked goods.”
I shake his hand as Jerry relieves me of the confectionary goods. “You’re welcome. Sorry, they’re not fresh. I can’t bake, but I figure the bakery is a better option, anyway. Leave it to the professionals.”Why do am rambling? Why not ask about Jace?Maybe I should just leave and forget this whole idea? They got a thank you and some treats.
“Oh, you can never go wrong with our bakery in town. They know what they’re doing, and we’re always happy to receive anything from them.” Jerry appears to be itching to take off and have a gluttonous moment with the cupcakes. I hold back a laugh.
“Well, again, thank you all so much, and I’m glad to hear nothing happened to any of the firefighters.” I’ve been listening to anything and everything on the news, social media, and reading articles to follow what’s been happening. Dreading the moment, I might hear Jace’s name. Afraid something bad would happened to him.
“Wait, hold on a sec.” Bastian stops me from leaving. “Let me grab Jace. He’ll be happy to see you’re okay.” He runs to the back of the building, and I hear him yell, “Yo, Jace, get out here! Somebody here to see you.”
“Be right there.”
The sound of his voice sends a zing through me, and my body hums again. Something it only ever does when this man is around. I want to fiddle with my hair and my clothes, but Bastian and Jerry are watching me, and it’s awkward all the way around.
“So you’re just visiting, right? Your friends say you live in New York City.” Jerry asks.
“Yes. I was supposed to leave the other day, but according to the doctor, it’s best to stay put a little longer. Airborne might be tough on my lungs.”
“Plus, why would you want to leave this gorgeous mountain before you absolutely have to?”
I lift my brow, and Bastian laughs at Jerry. “Dude, I think she doesn’t mind leaving the mountain.” He claps him on the back.
Jerry’s face drops, like I offended him. “Why would you want to leave? This place has everything.” And I never understood the BookTok meaning of golden retriever when they talked about their heroes, and now I get it. Jerry is a perfect example of the golden retriever vibe, and we must protect him.
“Larissa?” Jace speaks excitedly, but his face shows confusion. I bite the inside of my cheek.
Shit. I shouldn’t have come.
“Hi.” I wave and drop it, appearing like a dork.
“Boss, she brought cupcakes as a thank you.” Jerry lifts the wares in his hands, and Bastian looks back at Jace and me, and something changes in his expression. He clears his throat and tells Jerry they should put the cupcakes in the kitchen and let everyone know they’re there.
“It was nice meeting you,” I say.
“You too.” The guys say over their shoulders, and I catch Bastian wink at Jace, and I blush.
“I hope it’s okay that I’m here. I just want to thank you properly.”And show you I’m not a complete mess all the time.
“I’m glad you’re here. You look amazing.” He coughs. “I mean, you look well.”
I roll my lips and lick the top one as I ponder what to say. “The doctor is keeping me grounded for a few days to make sure my lungs are okay.”
“Are you okay?” His brows drop, and he seems to concentrate on me harder.
“Oh, yeah. I do everything I’m supposed to. I get little coughing fits and wheeze if I get short of breath. I can’t lie down, so I’ve been sleeping in a recliner. But other than that, I’m doing great. I’m alive. Thanks to you.”Damn the stupid rambling.
He steps closer, rubbing his hand over the back of his neck. “Look, um, I work until seven a.m. tomorrow, and, well, I can’t… I keep thinking about you. Normally, I keep work and private lifeseparate, but… Would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow night?”
“Yes.” I blurt out, and my cheeks glow with a blush I sense without touching them.
Jace laughs. “Okay, great. Can I get your number?”
