Page 50 of Steamy Dreamy Hearts

“Hey, that was a good story, and you didn’t even chuckle.” Kamira tapped my shoulder. “What are you dreaming about over there?”

I blinked. “Sorry.”

“Right,” she said, faintly amused. “Just get the gear in order. And promise me you’ll pay attention to the next fire we go on and not be sending heart emojis to Smack.”

“Scout’s honor.”

Kamira, Phin, and the others might have worked at this station house longer, been friendlier with Smack than I had been before, but they’d be shocked at how Sean tugged me close, the pair of us laughing like idiots at rom-com movies. Or how he could be more romantic than any of those movies when he looked my way, touched me…

“Oh, shit.” I shook off the feelings. Kamira was right—I needed to focus.

For the next few hours, I did the job. My thoughts remained in check, and unfortunately, the shift ran a little late. Still, I jumped into a cool shower—my second one of the day after the gym locker room—and changed. I had suppressed my thoughts while on the job. But now that work was over, I eagerly texted him and rushed to get us some dinner. I couldn’t wait to be with Sean. Why did it feel like so damn long?

With the Chinese food secured, excitement propelled me forward to his place. A flare of need thrummed through my veins, my heart awake and demanding I hurry to see him—itreally was as if I were in a magical spell. One that had a strong, maybe permanent grip on me. I sighed, so happy I could burst. If this was magic, let it never end.

The feeling only strengthened as I pulled into Sean’s driveway. My day had been a good one, but I was so ready to be with Sean. To see that smile he’d give me. The twinkle in his eyes.

I jiggled the handle, eager to put down my bags of food and kiss him.

Struggling to get the doorknob to turn while holding the food, I called out for him, knocking with my foot. The moment I saw Sean in the flesh, warmth seemed to illuminate everything.

“I brought Chinese food,” I said as he opened the door for me. “My shift ran over, and I know we talked about going out tonight, but I thought this was better. We never did get takeout and—” I stopped speaking.

Sean was standing like a statue, stiff and pale. He wasn’t smiling. There wasn’t a twinkle in his eyes. Any joy of anticipation crumpled.

“What is it?”

For a second, he stared blankly, as if he didn’t even know who I was. He rotated his jaw back and forth, grimaced as if a bad taste was at the back of his throat. Recognition skittered across his face, and for a second his eyes went tender, but it was followed rapidly by a bleakness that gave me a small shiver.

“My sister-in-law texted. I was just on the phone with her. Erin has to come home early.”

“Is she okay?” I asked, concerned.

He nodded. “Yeah, my in-laws got the flu, but she’s fine.”

“Oh, all right.” I put a hand to my chest. “You scared me a minute. I thought she was hurt or something.”

“Sorry…”

“Let me put down all this Chinese food, and we can talk.” I went past him to the kitchen. He followed me, and I started unloading the bags. “And your in-laws? Are they okay?”

“My sister-in-law is caring for them, so they’re doing all right. But it’s a lot with her kids sick, too. Erin and Rosie escaped the flu, but we all agreed she should come home.”

“Makes sense.”

Sean stared at me, his face grim. “The thing is, I might need some time with her.”

I leaned against the kitchen counter. “Sure, I get that.”

“Alone.”

“Okay…” I frowned. His tone was stiff, formal. “Look, we can eat and talk more after. You’re kind of pale, and maybe some lo mein will help. I bet you haven’t eaten since they called.”

I started to open the container when Sean stopped me. “Don’t. I’m not hungry.” He pushed the bag into my hands. “Actually, you can take it all back to your place.”

“My place?” I felt stunned. “You’re asking me to go?”

“I’m not fit for company.”

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