Page 90 of Delicious

I nod. “Superhot fireman. And I’m a hero. I rescue cute kitties from trees and wear a supercool outfit… and I have a realllly long hose.”

“R-E-A-L-L-Y LONG HOSE.” Quinn makes exaggerated vowel shapes with his mouth.

“So don’ be mad. I love my job and I love being aroun’ all the other superhot firemen. Plus, I get to slide down a big hard pole all day.”

“BIG HARD P-O-L-E ALL DAY,” he repeats, still typing.

“Love, Quinn, smiley face, heart, heart, hug, kissy face.”

“K-I-S-S-Y…. Oh.” he snorts. “You mean the emoji?” He taps the screen a few more times, then stops and stares at it. Then he bursts out laughing, and I can’t help but join him. “I can’t send this!” He wheezes out a gasping breath and wipes the tears from his eyes, then sobers. “I really don’ rescue that many cats.”

We stare at each other for a moment and then burst out laughing again. His phone slips from his fingers and clatters to the table. He picks it up and flicks off a stray piece of lettuce from the tacos. And stares at the it.

“What?” I blink.

He holds up the phone and shows me the screen, which I can’t read from here due to a combination of poor lighting and the fact that I’m very drunk.

“I accidentally hit Send,” he says. “Oops.”

We both laugh even harder. My sides are actually starting to ache. Finally, I drag in a deep breath and so does he.

“Oh god.” He rubs his face. “I’m sooo drunk,” he slurs, dropping his phone on the table again. “You know what we should do?”

“What?” I hiccup loudly.

“We should go for a walk, burn some of the booze off.”

“M’kay.” I push myself out of the chair and the whole world tilts. I stumble sideways, fall on the floor, and start laughing again.

“Cookie?” Quinn’s face appears above me. “You a’right?”

“No.” I grin. “I think you might need to give me CPR.”

He snorts and reaches down, hauling me to my feet. I stumble into him and shamelessly grope his biceps.

“Mmmm,” I hum, “Firm.”

“Why, thank you.” He gives me a pleased smirk.

“Iss that a tool belt diggin’ into my hip or are you real happy to see me?”

He laughs and unbuckles his tool belt, letting it drop to the ground.

“We should lock the door.” I pat down the pockets of my shorts. “Where are the cheese?”

Quinn frowns. “Keys?”

“Thass what I said, ssush.” I put my finger to my lips to shush him so I can concentrate. I find the keys on the table and, after a great deal of fumbling, manage to lock the back door.

Letting ourselves out of the back gate, Quinn locks it behind us and takes my hand. It must be really late because the streets and boardwalk are deserted. In the distance, I can even see that the lights of the restaurant are out.

“Race ya!” I whoop in delight and streak off toward the sand, running along the beach with the wind in my face and the roar of the waves in my ears.

I feel good.

Suddenly, strong arms wrap around me, lifting me into the air.

“Caught you.” Quinn laughs, his hot breath fanning against the back of my neck, making me shiver.

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