Page 30 of No Take Backs

“What’s up?” Josh leans forward and practically whispers his question.

Swallowing down the fire in my throat, I lick my lips and open my mouth, struggling to find the words now that I’ve started.

“You’re not a cop,” I finally wheeze.

In the fire, and then in the back of the ambulance when I woke up again, his was the first face I thought of. The regret I had for walking away and not giving him my number. The regret of not seeking him out after our night together.

But I also knew that I couldn’t date a cop. Not after the way I’d handled it with Eddie.

Josh shakes his head, his eyebrows hitting his hairline as he understands the implication of what I’m saying. Offering, really. “Not anymore, no.” He smiles. “And I was never just a cop, Nia. Been a firefighter since I was old enough to join the volunteer department.”

“You owe me dinner.” My voice breaks and garbles the words, but there is no doubt in my mind that Josh hears me. “Chinese.”

Josh nods and brings his hand up, touching my palm with his fingers in a small, intimate moment. “You got it. But if you ghost me again, I’m gonna hunt you down and tie you to my bed until you beg for me to let you… well, I’m sure you can imagine.”

12

JOSH

“You’re hovering. Why are you hovering? I told you, I’m fine.” Nia’s voice has that sharp edge that only comes out when she’s irritated, and I can’t help the laugh that bubbles up as I catch the look on Ryder’s face.

He’s trying to look stern, but there’s a glint of humor and amusement in his eyes. Nia has a way of getting under his skin, not that he’ll ever admit it. Ryder’s the kind of guy who prides himself on being unflappable, but Nia? She’s a force of nature, and even he can’t help but be swept up in her wake of chaos and destruction.

“I’m hovering because your damn brother threatened to cut off my dick and feed it to me if you got hurt on my watch again. I don’t know about any other man who’s ever been in your life, but I happen to like my dick, thank you very much.” Ryder crosses his arms over his chest and leans against the closed door of the truck bay, glaring right back at Nia. “You’re the idiot who thought it was a good idea to do stupid shit while you work with your brother’s best friend. Don’t blame me when James decides to be extremely overprotective and call in a favor, or six.”

Nia leans back in her chair, proceeding to ignore Ryder, and goes back to the cribbage game she’s been playing with Gem for half the night. “Suit yourself. But keep in mind, you might be his best friend, but I know where you sleep at night.”

Watching the two of them go back and forth is like watching a well-rehearsed play, where you know all the actors and the roles they’re playing, yet the performance still manages to surprise you. There’s a rhythm to their banter, a comfortable ease that comes from years of familiarity. It’s like being in on an inside joke that only they understand, and even though I’m technically an outsider to their dynamic, I can’t help but feel a sense of belonging in this moment. It’s a reminder that in this line of work, your team isn’t just your colleagues… they’re your family, your lifeline.

“How do you know Ryder?” Ignoring him in favor of the woman who’s captivated me for longer than I’ll ever admit, I sit down next to her.

“James and Ryder played football together in school. Ryder joined the military but James went pro.” No, I don’t really give a shit about her brother or Ryder or their friendship in the slightest. I just like listening to Nia talk. Like the night we spent together, her voice does something to me that I’m not prepared for. It soothes the darkness there. The indecision and the chaos that I keep from everyone around me.

Unable to help it, I catch myself staring at Nia’s neck, thinking about kissing the soft skin above her collarbone.

Why am I being so weird around her? Oh yeah, the first time I was with her, she ghosted me. Then she saved my life and almost died in the process. I’m honestly afraid of what will happen when I give in and ask her for all the things I find myself wanting. She is a pain in the ass, but one that I want with every single breath I take… I just can’t for the life of me figure out how to ask her out properly.

Gem sighs, putting her cards down on the table. “I gotta pee. Be back in a minute.”

Ryder follows her in after checking his phone. “Don’t forget we’ve got truck meeting in ten minutes. See you in there, Josh.”

When we are alone, Nia cocks her head to the side and pokes me in the forehead. “Why are you being weird?” She pokes my forehead again, and I have to close my eyes to keep from grabbing her hand and kissing her silly.

You’re at work. Keep it together, man.

“Nia.” I clench my hand in my lap, holding it against my thigh. “Will you go out to dinner with me?”

Catching me by surprise, Nia laughs.

“What?” I look around, hoping no one is there watching my embarrassment.

There isn’t anyone there.

“I told you,” she says quietly. “You owe me Chinese food. Yes, Josh.” Nia nods slowly. “That means I’ll go on a date with you.” She holds out her free hand. “Give me your phone.”

Blowing out a breath that creates a dull aching sensation in my chest as I exhale, I decide to just go ahead and let her all the way in before I hand her my phone. “Look. You scare the shit out of me, Nia. You’re gorgeous, ridiculously so. You’re smart as hell, and you’ve got a wild streak that leaves me wanting to follow you wherever you’re going. I don’t remember the last time someone affected me this way. Since the moment I saw you surrounded by annoying little kids in that roller rink, it’s like you invaded my brain and won’t let go.”

I have absolutely no clue what to expect when it comes to the spitfire sitting next to me. None whatsoever. So when she lets her hand fall to my lap and takes my hand in hers, I swallow rather than say anything else.

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