Page 94 of Make Mine Sweet
August squeezes my hand again. “I’m ready!”
Of course he is.
Tess only pauses a second. “Okay. Sure.”
August’s happy squeals make my day. Yeah, they’re mostly for the fire truck, but I’m coming to the rescue, too.
She pulls his monitor phone from her pocket and passes it to me. “You know what to do.”
“That’s what I like to hear.”
She rolls her eyes, but her smile peeks out. “You might be getting more than you bargained for. August will probably want to stay with the fire truck until it drives away again.”
“I can be patient.” A total sham, since all my willpower is focused on not tugging this gorgeous woman into my arms right now and kissing her in front of everyone she knows.
Climbing mountains takes a lot of self discipline, but she’s testing me like nothing else ever has.
“I appreciate that about you.” Her soft little eyelash flutter kills me.
I die even more when she releases my hand and starts to back away.
“Thank you,” she says softly.
I just nod her along, my resolve fraying when she uses that hushed voice. She gets about ten feet away from us and pauses to turn back. She holds my gaze, breaking out a secret smile just for me. That smile is a lit match to the tinder in my chest, making it burn white-hot.
August tugs on my hand. “Aren’t we ready?”
I pull my attention from Tess walking away and look down at him. With his painted-on pirate persona, he looks like he might call me a scurvy landlubber if I don’t hurry. I love it. I still opt to play dumb, though. “Was there something around here you wanted to see?”
“The fire truck!” He tugs with all his might.
I let him drag me along to where the firemen and firewoman are showing kids—and a couple of curious adults—around the big, red truck. We’re within a few feet of it when I recognize one of the firefighters. Nathan Bridger, my enthusiastic job recruiter from the diner a few weeks ago.
“Can I go look at the truck?” August asks.
“Stay where I can see you.”
Whoa. Having serious déjà vu to my childhood right now.
He runs off to join the kids listening to a discussion about the fire hose. Nathan comes forward, hand outstretched. I shake it, the reminder of my unfriendly behavior the other night sitting like gravel in my stomach. If he’s concerned about that, his wide grin doesn’t show it.
“Good to see you out here,” he says. “Did you catch the parade?”
I’m guessing they were in that, too. “Missed it.”
“There’s always next year.” He leans back, glancing me over. “You look different. Can’t put my finger on it.”
“Had a little makeover.” Long overdue.
“That’s not it.” Good grief, this man’s eyes shine like he’s perpetually up to something. “You’re smiling.”
“Am I?” Pretty sure I’m not.
“Not now,” he concedes. “But a minute ago, yeah. I’d have sworn you were happy.”
“All right. I get it.” I am happy. Sad that it’s such a big change-up even this ball of chaotic energy can see the difference.
“I’m here for it, is all I’m saying.” He nods August’s way. “I know who his mom is. I ship it.”
