Page 7 of Through the Fire

“You’re all set, Princess Shy Shy.” She stood then directed her attention to me. “You two have a good night.”

I winked with a half smile.

“You too, pretty lady.” I got ready to leave when I had a thought that paused me. “How am I supposed to know when her custom order is ready? You know I’m a busy man between firefighting and being a full-time father. I think this is where we exchange numbers.”

Island palmed her forehead then sighed heavily.

“I’m never going to get rid of you,” she murmured.

I smiled proudly.

“Not in this lifetime or the next.” I rubbed my hands together excitedly. “Ouu, I’m going to be blowing your line down just to ask you what you’re doing.”

She shook her head with a frown. “I’m going to regret this.”

I cheesed as she slid her phone across the counter. I quickly entered my contact and called myself so I’d have hers. Once I was finished, I handed it back.

“Nah, this the best decision you’ve ever made. I’ma be good to and for you, Izzy.”

I felt like there was nothing else to be said. Glancing down at my baby, I urged her along.

“Come on, Shy Shy.”

Island followed us to the door. Shy Shy hopped down the steps with me right on her heels. For some reason, I turned to look back at Island’s shop.

She stood her fine ass right there watching us while she locked the door. When her eyes connected with mine, I blew her a kiss. She frowned and rolled her eyes before shutting the lights off and casting herself in a blanket of shadows. As I walked toward my truck hand in hand with my baby, I found myself already looking forward to the next time I saw her. I was going to make her smile.

Leaning across the front counter, I swiped through my TikTok “for you” page, being thoroughly entertained. I lifted the last bit of my triple berry smoothie from War On Food and drained it. It was so good I debated on walking around the corner for another one.

As I tossed the droplets left in the plastic cup into the trashcan, the bell above the door of my shop jingled. Glancing up, my breathing slowed to a steady pace. It was my way of preparing myself for the wave of handsomeness that waltzed through the door like he owned the place. Shyheim took slow, calculated steps to close the distance between us. He leaned across the counter, forcing me to breathe in his smoky scent. Today, he sported his off-duty Rosewind Fire uniform looking scrumdeliciumpous. He could use a line-up for sure, but the nigga was still fine as hell.

“Hi, Ms. Island,” he greeted in his husky voice. There was a twinkle in his hazel eyes and a halfhearted smile painted his lips. “How are you?”

I placed both of my elbows on top of the counter and rested my chin in my hands.

“Hi, Heim. I’m fine. How are you?”

My voice came out much harsher than I intended. The jerk of his head indicated he felt the edge too.

“I’m fine,” he mocked in a gruff voice. I cast my gaze away ashamedly. “Are you sure? Sounds like you need a hug or something.”

The heat of his gaze had me turning to give him my eyes. I wished I hadn’t because the look he gave me made the cadence of my heart pick up double time.

“Do you need a hug, Ms. Island?”

I shook my head quickly. The thought of being in his arms again was terrifying. I would rather chew nails than be sucked into the hardest… sexiest… most comfortable chest I’d ever been cuddled into.

“No, I need pizza.”

He eyed me suspiciously.

“I typically eat pretty clean, but once a week, I allow myself a cheat day. I’m having pizza when I get off.”

He chuckled. “Hm. She gets cranky when she needs the hard stuff. Got it.” He nodded his head then tapped his fingers on top of the counter. He seemed super relaxed in my presence. His eyes drifted around the shop in mild interest. “Your shelves stay empty, ain’t it?”

“Ha, they do. It’s a blessing to be well sought after. Which reminds me of why you’re here.”

I hopped off my stool and headed straight to the back. When I returned, I had the custom products I’d spent the last two weeks cultivating for Princess Shy Shy.

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