Page 10 of The Fire Between Us

As I return to the counter to grab the condiment, the bell above the door chimes. I look up automatically and see two men in navy blue T-shirts with the Cedar Falls Fire Department logo enter. Neither is Max, though. They settle into a booth in my section, and I give myself a mental shake. Why should I care whether Max is among them? It's not like we're friends. He was just being nice to the new girl in town. That's all.

I drop off the hot sauce and approach the firefighters with my notepad.

"Good morning," I greet them. "Coffee to start?"

"Yes, please," the taller one says, then extends his hand. "I’m Lewis. You must be Jennie. Max mentioned meeting you yesterday."

I shake his hand briefly, caught off guard by the familiar greeting. "That's right. First day on the job."

"You're already a step up from the last waitress Lou hired," the other man says. "She lasted four hours before crying in the walk-in freezer."

"Ollis," Lewis chides. "Don't scare her off."

"Just stating facts," Ollis shrugs but offers me a small smile. "The breakfast crowd can be brutal."

I pour their coffee, oddly comforted by their banter. "I'll take my chances. Do you know what you'd like to order, or do you need a minute?"

"We always get the same thing," Lewis says. "Firefighter special for me with eggs over medium, bacon extra crispy and peppers."

"Same thing," Ollis adds. "And can you tell Lou to go easy on the peppers? Last time, it was like eating fire."

"Ironic, coming from a firefighter," I quip before I can stop myself.

Lewis laughs heartily while Ollis' smile widens.

"She's got you there, Ol," Lewis says.

I jot down their orders, surprised by my own ease with them. "I'll put this right in. More coffee?"

"We're good for now, thanks," Lewis replies. Then, "Max is on a 12-hour night shift this week, by the way. Gets off at 12 PM."

I feel heat rise to my cheeks. "I didn't ask."

"No, you didn't," Lewis agrees, his expression innocent but his eyes knowing.

I retreat to the kitchen, placing their order on the spinner for Lou. As I wait for my next ticket, I try to understand my own reaction. Why should I care about Max's schedule? Why should it matter that these men clearly think there's something to tease about?

Because there isn't. There can't be. I have nothing to offer a man like Max Davidson—a woman with a complicated past, a baby, and barely enough money for first month's rent on an apartment. And more importantly, romance is so far down my list of priorities it might as well not exist.

I learned my lesson with Derek. I trusted the charming, attentive man who swept me off my feet, who promised to take care of us. By the time I saw behind the mask, I was trapped—financially, emotionally, physically. Never again.

The day progresses steadily, and by 12:30 PM, the lunch rush is tapering off. My feet ache pleasantly, and my apron pocket jingles with a decent haul of tips. Lou approaches as I'm refilling the sugar caddies.

"You did good today," he says, his gruff voice approving. "Think you can handle it five days a week?"

"Absolutely," I confirm. "Thank you for giving me a chance."

"Experience counts," he shrugs. "And you don't spill coffee or sass the customers. That's rare enough these days."

The bell chimes again, and I look up. This time, it is Max who enters, looking slightly rumpled and tired but still unfairly attractive in his department T-shirt and jeans. His eyes find mine immediately, and his face breaks into a genuine smile, creating an unwelcome flutter in my stomach.

He slides onto a stool at the counter, nodding to a few regulars as he passes. I finish with the sugar caddies, take a deep breath, and approach with the coffee pot.

"Good morning," I say, aiming for professional but friendly. "Coffee?"

"Please," he replies, flipping over the mug before him. "How's the first day treating you?"

"So far, so good," I tell him, filling his cup. "Amelia seemed happy at Mrs. Gunderson's this morning, so that's a huge relief."

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