Page 62 of Stay With Me

“Don’t we know it.” I smile at her. “Glad to see you’re getting out of here at a decent hour tonight, though.”

Annie works her tail off for this place and she’s often still here when we bring patients well after she should be off for the day.

“Yeah, we have our girl’s night tonight, so I had to make sure I got out at a decent hour.” She looks at Finn. “You know Shayna will give me shit if I’m late.”

Finn chuckles. “Yeah, she will.” Shayna Donley is full of sass and spirit.

Though they had a rough start, Shayna and Finn have recently become an item and I’m happy to see it. I’ve known her a long time since she’s Emily’s best friend and she’s already had her share of heartache in the love department. The woman deserves to be happy.

“We’ll walk out with you. Maybe you can protect Finn here from all your flirty nurses. It embarrasses the poor guy.” The teasing is clear in my tone, yet Finn still blushes.

“I swear I don’t do anything to encourage them.” Finn directs his comment to Annie, and she just laughs.

“Don’t worry Finn, I know you don’t. Anyone with eyes can see how bad you have it for Shayna.” Finn’s face grows even more red, as do the tips of his ears now.

I grin. Poor guy has the kind of good looks that garner him attention no matter where he goes, and it makes him uncomfortable when it’s pointed out.

Clearly trying to change the subject, Finn asks, “Shay said you’re trying the new Mexican restaurant in Meadow Creek tonight, right?”

Damn, Emily and I have been saying we were going to go try that place, but we haven’t done it yet. Now she’s going with her friends.

“Yep. Emily’s choice. She’s been wanting to try it and she’s seemed a little off lately, so we let her pick.” Annie shrugs.

“Off? She okay?” I hate I don’t know, but Emily has been acting weird with me since the night Trina and Ben showed up at her house. She hasn’t answered my calls and when I text and ask her if she wants to get together, she has something else going on every time. I haven’t seen her in almost two weeks—which is not normal for us anymore—and it almost feels like she’s making excusesnotto see me.

“Yeah. Just not herself for a few weeks now. She put the house up for sale last week, so Shay and I thought maybe it was that, but she keeps saying nothing’s wrong. Anyway, bottomless margaritas will hopefully cheer her up. You guys are going to Jack’s bachelor party tomorrow, right?”

I nod and Finn says, “Yep. We’ll be there.”

By now we’re almost back to the ambulance, so we say goodbye to Annie, load our stretcher in the back of the squad, and climb into the front to return to the Fire Station.

I can’t believe Emily didn’t tell me she officially listed the house. What the hell?

Lost in my thoughts for a few minutes, I wrack my brain, trying to figure out what I might have done that night to upset her. I can think of nothing. And I miss her. A lot.

The only good thing about having so much alone time is that I’ve made a ton of progress in my master bathroom. It’s almost done except for the tub, which was a special order and should be in next week.

I pull my phone from my pocket and type out a text to Emily.

Me: Hey, Finn and I just saw Annie at the hospital, and she said you’re all going to the new Mexican restaurant. Sorry we never got there. I know we talked about it.

It’s a few minutes before she responds.

Emily: It’s fine. I know you’re busy.

Me: Me? Not really.

After several minutes, she still hasn’t responded to that, and we’ve arrived back at the station. As Finn backs the ambulance in, I send her one last text.

Me: Have fun tonight. Be safe.

Emily: Thanks.

I shake my head as Finn and I walk in and head to the kitchen.

“What’s wrong?” Finn asks.

I just shrug. “Nothing. Just a little confused, is all. Can’t figure something out.”

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