Page 8 of Embers of You
I can tell Mallory wants to say more and doesn’t want to leave her dog with me, but she finally decides to walk out. As soon as the door is shut, I drop my fake smile and look down at the dog at my feet. Daisy is cute, she’s wagging her tail looking up at me, almost like she knows her mom is insane too.
“Come on, Daisy, let’s get you all cleaned up for your crazy mom.”
“Crazy mom. Shut up, Vern!”Jerry Lee calls from his perch.
Okay, so maybe Jerry Lee is annoying.
CHAPTER 4
Jameson
“Didyou see Mallory leaving Trish’s place? She’s looking good,” Parker says with a pointed look in my direction as I finish my last round of checking the truck.
“Go for it, bud. She’ll eat you alive.”
“I wouldn’t mind her mouth all over me.” He winks.
I shake my head. She’s ten years older than him and my ex. We dated for about a year when I was in my twenties. We broke up when I moved to Florida. It wasn’t that serious, and I never saw it going in that direction, so if Parker thinks he can handle her he can be my guest.
While Parker continues to talk about how good Mallory looks to anyone who will listen, my mind is stuck on the mysterious brunette that just moved into town. I can’t help but look out the one window that faces the little grooming shop and think about what she might be doing right now.
I want some sort of excuse to talk to her again, anything that will give me a reason to hear her voice one more time. Maybe I’ll pretend as if I forgot to ask her something, or that I need heropinion on something ridiculous. Obviously, our first meeting was completely by chance, and I want it to happen again. I don’t have a dog, so the most obvious idea is out of the question. I mean I could get a dog; I have been wanting one for a while.
“What do you think, Jameson?” Parker’s voice pulls me from my thoughts.
“About what?”
Parker and Dave chuckle, both clearly amused by how distracted I clearly was.
“How long until Mallory is throwing herself at you again?” Dave clarifies.
“Why are you two gossiping like teenagers?” I ask, not wanting to give into this useless conversation.
I zone out whatever they’re saying once again when movement in the window catches my eye. It’s Sutton, and it’s clear that she’s focused on whatever it is she’s doing at this moment. Without much more thought I’m moving toward the door of the firehouse.
“I’ll be right back, guys,” I call out to no one in particular.
“What are you doing?” Dave questions.
“Where are you going?” Parker presses.
“You can’t just leave in the middle of shift!” Jo hollers.
They call after me, but I ignore them. I’m just going next door for a second.
I step in the building I’ve never stepped foot in before, looking around for the new mysterious woman.
“Hi.”I look around for who greeted me, and see a white bird perched near the door.
“Hi?”
“One second,” another voice calls out. This one is certainly human.
I look back at the bird; he turns his head like he’s examining me before he barks.
“Sorry, how can I–” She cuts herself off as soon as I turn to look at her.
“Hi again.” I smile.
