Page 10 of Stuck with my Brother's Firefighter Besties

I opened my mouth, but no sound came out. My brain short-circuited, unable to process the horror unfolding in front of me.

Jaxon, who I’d just… on the plane… was Nate’s coworker.

For his part, Jaxon looked entirely too amused, his piercing blue eyes sparkling with mischief as he extended a hand toward me. “Nice to see you again, Lila. Been a long time.”

A long time? We’d literally met a few hours ago.

I was going to die. Right here in the airport, surrounded by luggage, screaming kids, and my overly enthusiastic corgi.

Speaking of Biscuit, he chose that exact moment to wriggle out of my arms, his stubby legs hitting the floor with a thud before he took off like a rocket.

“Biscuit!” I shrieked as my dog darted through the crowd, tail wagging like he’d just won the lottery.

Nate and Jaxon burst into laughter. Of course, they found this hilarious.

“Need a hand?” Jaxon called, his voice full of barely suppressed amusement.

“No!” I snapped, already half jogging, half stumbling after my dog.

Biscuit, delighted by the chaos he was causing, barked happily as he zigzagged through the crowd. He dodged a luggage cart, ducked under a stroller, and nearly tripped an elderly man before disappearing behind a pillar.

“Lila, he’s heading toward the food court!” Nate called, barely containing his laughter.

“Great. That’s just great,” I muttered.

My dog was probably going to steal someone’s French fries or knock over a tray of drinks.

“Biscuit! Come back!”

He reappeared, bolting between tables, his tiny legs moving impossibly fast. A group of teenagers cheered him on like he was in some kind of race, and one guy even tried to grab him… unsuccessfully, of course.

“I got him!” Nate shouted, sprinting ahead and diving toward Biscuit.

For a brief, glorious moment, I thought he did, too.

But Biscuit was faster.

At the last second, he juked left, leaving Nate sprawled on the floor, clutching at air.

The group of teenagers erupted into laughter, one of them yelling, “Nice try, dude!”

“Biscuit! Come back!” I shouted, my voice rising in frustration as Biscuit darted toward the food court.

“I swear, Lila, this dog has more moves than a running back!” Nate huffed, pushing himself off the floor.

“Got him!” Jaxon’s voice cut through the chaos.

I turned just in time to see Jaxon crouched low, his arms outstretched as Biscuit hurtled toward him like a heat-seeking missile. With one smooth motion, Jaxon scooped him up, cradling the squirming dog against his chest.

“Got your little escape artist,” he said, grinning as he walked toward me, holding Biscuit like some kind of fluffy trophy.

I stared at him, breathless and still vibrating with adrenaline. “How did you…?”

“Firefighter reflexes,” he said with a wink.

I narrowed my eyes at him but couldn’t help the grudging smile tugging at my lips. “Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it.” He handed Biscuit back to me, his fingers brushing mine in the process. “He’s got spirit. I like that.”

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