Page 14 of Stuck with my Brother's Firefighter Besties

“It’s called dedication,” Colt said, completely unfazed. “You wouldn’t understand.”

“It’s called stupidity,” Nate muttered, but he was grinning now, too.

Lila shook her head, clearly trying not to laugh. “I’ll admit, I’m impressed. That’s a pretty great cause.”

Their bickering carried on, but I barely heard it because Lila’s laugh cut through the noise again. It was softer this time, almost shy, but just as potent.

I couldn’t stop looking at her, couldn’t stop the heat rising in my chest every time she smiled or tilted her head.

She was a magnet, and I was already leaning toward her without realizing it.

Her hazel eyes found mine, and it was like the world tipped on its axis. Her smile softened, turning just a little more personal, like maybe she was feeling this pull, too.

My grip on the back of the chair tightened as the heat swelled between us. I needed to get a grip… fast.

I forced myself to sit, sliding into the seat next to her before my feet betrayed me and carried me somewhere I didn’t belong. Close as I was, I could smell her. She smelled like warm vanilla and a hint of citrus that made my pulse kick up another notch.

“So, Jaxon,” Lila said, turning to me with a look that was way too knowing, “what month are you in the calendar?”

My fingers froze mid-reach for the mashed potatoes. The playful challenge in her tone hit me like a sucker punch, and my brain scrambled for a response.

“Uh…” I rubbed the back of my neck, trying not to think about how her shoulder brushed mine when she leaned just a little closer. “October.”

Her lips curved, and that spark in her eyes told me she wasn’t about to let me off easy. “October? Let me guess. Pumpkin patch? Maybe holding a rake?”

Ryan jumped in before I could answer, grinning like the damn Cheshire Cat. “Oh, man, I wish. That would’ve been perfect. But no, Mr. October gets to flex his hero status with a rescue dog.”

“Aw.” She leaned in just enough that her breath brushed my arm. “Big, tough fireman with a soft spot for dogs. You’re really laying it on thick, huh?”

My jaw tightened. The heat between us was back, sparking to life like someone had struck a match. She was bold—too bold—and I had no idea how to keep my cool under that teasing stare.

I turned to her, locking eyes, my voice low enough that only she could hear. “Careful, Lila. Keep teasing me like that, and I might start to think you’re flirting.”

Her smile didn’t falter. If anything, it grew almost coy, her hazel eyes shimmering with mischief. “And what if I am?”

Damn it.

My chest tightened like a vice, and I felt every single muscle in my body tense up at her words.

She was trouble.

I had to say something, anything to steer us out of this spiral, but my brain wasn’t cooperating. All I could think about was how close she was, how her laugh had a way of disarming me, and how her presence alone was throwing my world off balance.

Lila didn’t back down, leaning back just slightly in her chair, that knowing look still plastered on her face. She tilted her head, watching me like she was waiting to see what I’d do next.

Her confidence was unnerving, but it was also… intoxicating.

“Don’t start something you’re not ready to finish,” I murmured, my voice coming out rougher than I intended.

She raised an eyebrow, her lips parting as if she were about to say something, but then Colt’s voice cut through the tension like a bucket of cold water.

“Jax, you’re not seriously hogging all the mashed potatoes, are you?” Colt asked, pointing his fork at me with mock indignation.

I blinked, realizing I still had the bowl in front of me, my hand frozen on the serving spoon. “Uh, right. Here.”

I shoved it across the table, my movements stiff, as though it might somehow snap me out of the spell Lila had cast on me.

She bit her lip, clearly trying to suppress a smile as she reached for her drink. I glanced at her out of the corner of my eye, hoping the conversation would move on, that someone would say something stupid enough to distract me from the fire she’d just lit inside me.

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