Page 32 of Burning for Alexander
Made a wish.
And blew out the candles.
“For what it’s worth, my wish was for you to write me a ticket for illegal birthday candle usage.”
He stepped toward me slowly as if dreading what was in the box. When he got close enough to see theHappy Birthday, Alex!written on it, he paled.
“Is today your birthday?”
I may have been a schemer, but I was not a liar. Well… not much of one, anyway. “Yes. And my family is waiting at the lodge to surprise me, but I wasn’t in the mood for the whole production.” Which was all true. Marian surprise parties were more exhausting than not seeing certain fire chiefs.
“So, you…”
“Picked up a cake at Beartooth Market and decided to celebrate on my own. Except, well… my friend Kincaid wouldn’t like me having open flames inside the building, so…”
He looked horrified. “So you’re out by the dumpster, celebrating your birthday alone?”
I almost felt bad. But then I remembered him trying to write Tavo up for changing a damned lightbulb while I was busy filling out compliance paperwork, while also trying to help Juni fulfill alarge catering order. “I guess. It’s okay, though. I can go inside now that the candles are out.”
“I think you should go to your party!” he said, sounding the slightest bit panicked.
I stepped closer and inspected his facial expression. “Be honest. Did you get an invitation? Is that why you’re trying to get me to go?”
He shook his head, and for some reason, the movement drew my attention down to the tight fit of his navy tee over muscular shoulders, a broad chest, and a slightly anddeliciouslypadded abdomen.
“Promise.”
I blinked up. “Promise what?”
“I didn’t get invited to anything tonight, Marian or otherwise.”
“Ah. Going home to your lady friend, then?”
I bit back a wince. Did I have to sound like an annoying brat? It was none of my business. “I’m sorry,” I quickly added. “She’s very nice. I’m glad you’re with her.”
Kincaid tilted his head at me and then smiled widely. “Are you?”
I pressed my lips together and remembered calling myself a not-liar only a moment ago. “No. Definitely not.”
“And why’s that?”
He still looked entirely too smug. “Well, because you have a very nice body under all of that rule-followy…” I waved a hand at him and nearly dropped the cake. “Whatever. And I wouldn’t mind… um, never mind.”
He took the cake from my hands and held the entire box under one arm like it was nothing. I shook out my arms after holding it so long. “Rule-followy whatever?”
“You’re very smarmy,” I said with a sniff. “Probably for the best that you’re straight.”
“Probably.”
I couldn’t help but deflate a little at the confirmation. So much for my birthday wish. “Well, why don’t you take her the cake, then? I’m not really in the mood to celebrate.”
He stepped a little closer. He smelled like woodsmoke and citrus. “I would, except she went up to Glacier.”
“Ah.”
“And then she’s headed home to Colorado,” he continued, stepping even closer. He lifted a devastating eyebrow at me. “Which is fine with me since we’re not together.”
Kincaid leaned down until our noses were practically touching. His voice lowered to molten honey. “And Alex?”
