Page 30 of The Fireman and the Flirt

“Yep. I’m dating Jesus. No, his name is Dusty. We go way back, not as way back as you, me, and Mitch. You’ll like him.” He blushed for a second, a slip of his refined persona. He was in love. It was sweet to see. Leo threw a foam stress ball at my chest. “Let me know the next time you and Mitch hang out.”

“Sorry. I thought you were busy with mayoral stuff. Why didn’t you come over for dinner the other night?”

Leo rolled his eyes. “Cal’s pissed at me because I wouldn’t get his parking ticket cleared up. He claims he was only five minutes past the meter, but our records show it was closer to forty-five. I think Cal secretly wants to go to traffic court to fight it so he can give a dramatic courtroom monologue.”

“That sounds about right.” My brother was constantly seeking hisErin Brockovichmoment, a movie he finally got me to watch the other night.

Leo got quiet all of a sudden, and I knew what was coming. I steeled myself for the kind words.

“Hey, I’m real sorry about–”

I held up my hand, as if I were pushing an invisible brake. “Thank you. I’m hanging in there.”

“I’m here if you ever need…”

“I know, man. I know. I’m kind of all talked-out at this point.”

“Cool.” Leo nodded his head, a little unsure of how to proceed. Was proper friend protocol to keep prodding? I quickly switched topics.

“Jolene really likes Lucy and Ari. She’s been playing Ari’s video game nonstop at home.” Unlike their dad, Leo’s twins were very creative. Lucy made films, and Ari created video games on his computer. “They’ve helped Jolene get acclimated to a new school. You got good kids.”

“As do you. Dads of the Year,” he joked. “So I hear you’re househunting. How’s it going?”

I see-sawed my head. It had been going well, until it wasn’t. Whatwasthat weird moment with Cary?

“It’s going,” I said.

Leo and I fell into reminiscing about high school, stories pouring out of us as if they’d just happened, laughing like we were sixteen again. He wasn’t the mayor, and I wasn’t a middle-aged sad widower. Before we knew it, Leo had a meeting he had to attend.

I checked my phone and did a double take at the email that had come though.

Derek,

I’ve realizedthat my workload is a little bit heavier than anticipated, and I fear I can’t give you the attention you deserve for this important process. I’ve looped in my partner Hannah, who will be working with you moving forward. I’m still here as a resource should you have any questions, but anything you need, Hannah can help with. Good luck on your home buying journey!

Best,

Cary

“What the fuck?”I said to my screen.

Leo stood up to escort us out. “What happened?”

“I think my real estate agent just dumped me.”

I tried calling Cary twice,but each time rolled to voicemail, the cold, businesslike greeting sending a chill further down my spine. I preferred the warm, funny voice that was constantly forcing me to see the upside in every house.

I replayed the scene in my head, how the heat rose between us. The questions had tumbled out, fueled by a desire that overcame me, and it seemed like he was into it. Until he wasn’t.

Derek: Hey, what’s going on? You don’t want to work with me anymore?

Cary: It’s my fault. I took on more than I could handle. Hannah is great. You’re in good hands, I promise.

The words came off as cold as his voicemail greeting.

Later that day, Hannah called me to introduce herself. She was nice and professional, and true to Cary’s words, she made me believe I was in good hands. But they weren’t Cary’s hands.

Cary’s hands…on my body.

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