Page 5 of Kissing the Beach Town Fire Chief
“Oh, a little of both,” I reply, hoisting the fire extinguisher. “Stand back!”
With a satisfying hiss, the fire extinguisher douses the flames, leaving a cloud of white powder and the smell of charred meathanging in the air. Ethan glares at the now lifeless grill and then back at me.
“Thanks, I guess,” he mutters, grabbing the edge of his shirt to wipe his face, only to spread more soot around.
I can’t help but snicker.
“Here, let me. You look like you just walked out of a chimney,” I grab a napkin from the table, stepping closer to dab at his face.
Ethan endures my ministrations with a sigh.
Why can't this grumpy man smile for once?
His deep blue eyes flash with annoyance. “You know, I was actually making progress until you showed up.” “Progress toward what? Burning down the entire block?” I retorted. “Seriously, Smoke, you might want to stick to salads.” “Noted,” he says dryly, tossing the ruined dish towel onto the table. “So, how was your writing course? Maggie told me you were going to one.”
I smirk, crossing my arms.
“Oh, you know, just fine. But at least I got away from the city for a bit. How about you? I saw you pull Clara out of the bakery yesterday and it made me proud of you. And thankful, too.” After a long silence, Ethan gives me a strange look that I can’t describe. He squints and tips his head side to side.
“Whaaat?” I finally urge him to at least say something.
“So that was you across the street then.”
Now I’m flummoxed. He nodded to me. He looked my way several times. And now he asks if it was me?
“Honest, Ami, I really didn’t recognize you behind the shades and hat. And what’s with the extra six inches of hair? I thought there was a new girl in town.” Then the slow smirk crosses his face, and he adds: “And I couldn’t wait to meet her, yummy yum.”
I smack his shoulder and fake pout, but I can’t hold it in, and I burst out laughing. He’s such a toad. “Maybe if I had worn along blonde wig, you’d be chasing a phantom girl around town for weeks. Anyway, Smoke, besides playing with fire, what else have you been up to?”
He shrugs.
“The usual. Work! Just on a holiday for a few days. The truck that went out earlier is only going to a small grass fire, so I didn’t get called in.” “You owe me breakfast for saving your sorry butt and your now dead grill. My heroism deserves some pancakes.” “My culinary skills are clearly limited, you must remember.”
"That I can see," I gesture towards the grill, which still has smoke coming from it.
***
After helping Ethan, I settle down in my kitchen. Seabrook's morning sunlight streams through the window, making the countertops shine like gold.
With a sip of coffee, I lean against the counter.
Breakfast is simple. Just some toast and scrambled eggs.
And then the memories start flooding back.
One summer in particular stands out. It was unforgettable when Ethan and I were teenagers, but the dynamic was pretty much the same.
We never really got along!
We were always at each other's throats back then, constantly trying to one-up each other. And it's not like much has changed now. But it’s better. Still, I miss the time back then. Even though it was exhausting; weirdly, it was also kind of fun.
Who knew that we would still be here years later, still bickering?
I finish my breakfast and rinse the dishes, my mind back to the present.
Seabrook is quiet in the early morning; the only sounds are the distant call of seagulls and the gentle rustling of palm leaves, and of course, the occasional fire truck.
And as much as I hated losing to Ethan back as a kid, I can’t help but smile at the memory, even when he is still as insufferable as ever.
