Eventually, I would take a much-needed vacation. A sunny beach somewhere, a teeny tiny bikini, and plenty of fruity cocktails were calling my name. Someday…
Until then, I had medical emergencies to deal with, so it was more uniforms, lunches on the go, and fluorescent lights for me.
The fire was small, but several engines had been dispatched, so as I loaded up two residents from the apartment building—who had accidentally left a candle on and caused the tiny inferno—several firefighters stood around, twiddling their thumbs.
“Are they going to be okay?” a deep voice asked as I closed the ambulance door.
Merrick was looking intently at the vehicle before turning to me.
“They’re going to be right as rain!” I smiled brightly, immediately regretting my tone and hating the way I was so nervous around him.
Merrick washandsome. He was fartoogood-looking, in my humble opinion. Wearing his turnouts, his helmet off, his face was covered in a fine layer of soot, with smudges across his face. His short brown hair was sticking up in all directions, like it always did after he wore his helmet. And none of that dampened the fact that the man was painfully stunning.
Rude.
“Good, I know you’ll take good care of them.” As he spoke, a grin graced his face, a tiny lift of his cheek on one side, and I needed to remember how to breathe.
“Of course I will. We take care of everyone, even the idiots who set their own fires,” I assured him, trying my best to play it off with a joke.
Merrick looked at me for a moment, like he was going to say something, then thought better of it, shaking his head and walking away. He wasn't exactly a conversationalist, but therewas something oddly alluring about him. I wasn't blind. I’d noticed how many times he seemed to look my way when we were in the same vicinity. And still…it was like neither of us knew what more to do, stuck after idle small talk.
“Well, if it isn’t the bossiest EMT around!” a warm voice shouted behind me.
Turning, my face broke into a smile as a familiar firefighter walked around the front of my ambulance and up to me.
“Walker!” I greeted the alpha, reaching out to give him a loose, one-armed hug. “How is that stunning omega of yours?”
A blinding grin took over the fire captain's face at the mention of his mate. “She’s doing well! Complaining because we won’t let her do anything physical, given how close she is to giving birth, but she and our daughter are doing fantastically. Thank you for that baby blanket, by the way. Sunny loves it.”
“You’re welcome! There’s another one on the way. I’ve just beensobusy of late.”
Walker jerked his head in agreement, the corners of his mouth turning down as he folded his arms. “I knowthatfeeling. It seems like this time of year, every moron is out there, setting stupid, easily preventable fires.”
I grimaced, shrugging one shoulder as the familiar sounds of emergency-related chaos droned around me, saying, “Yeah, that gender reveal party with the burns and glitter injuries still haunts my dreams.”
“That’s what we get for choosing to work in California.” He chuckled ruefully, rolling his eyes.
I sighed, nodding along. “That’s what we get for good food and sunny weather.”
“Hailey!” Someone shouted my name, and a moment later, I was wrapped up in Blaze’s enormous arms and was wildly off-balance.
“Hello, Blaze!” I chuckled, trying to find my feet.
“Dude, why—” Walker muttered.
“How’s our favorite medic?” Blaze asked, setting me back down on my feet with a firm hand on my shoulder.
“You only call me your favorite because I give you lollipops.” I laughed, narrowing my eyes at him.
Blaze nodded thoughtfully. “True. Plus, you also helped our lovely mate and son.”
“I made some soup when you guys got the flu last month.” I shook my head, trying to wave him off. “No big deal.”
“Nah, did you see anyone else there? We owe you.”
I gripped my chin, exaggerating my pondering. “Normally, I would say not to bother, but then again, having a group of firefighters owe me one could be handy.”
“Well, you know where we live, so call anytime.” Walker smiled, patting me on the back. “You know Sunny would love to see you too.”