10. Cole

Chapter 10

Cole

Ibooked it down the street, only stopping once I saw Madi.

“Hey,” I huffed, all keyed up and full of adrenaline as I skidded to a stop in front of her.

Was it because of the fundraiser emergency or because I had an excuse to spend time with her?

It was her.I couldn’t lie to myself anymore. I liked her way more than I should, and I’d already flirted with her way past the boundaries of friendship. I had to knock it off.

“Hi! You’re fast.”

“Yeah, I ran all the way here.” I took a deep breath and let it out with a low laugh. “I’m not sure why.”

“Gigi got you all pumped up. She’s good at that. I heard her side of the conversation,” she added as an aside.

I could tell she was excited, too, from the sparkle in her and the flush spreading across her cheeks. I couldn’t help but notice that while she was wearing makeup now, I could still see her freckles, and it did things to my heart that I was not ready to admit to. Her dress was amazing, and it was all I could do not to do a full scan of her gorgeous body. Was she in heels? I didn’t dare let my eyes wander to her feet to check.

“She is good, isn’t she?” I turned my smile up a notch, relieved she didn’t think I was a weirdo for running over here like I did.

“Look at my situation; I’m on a leave of absence, living in the cutest apartment ever and working in a carb lovers’ paradise while I care for my adorable grandmother and her dubiously sprained ankle. I’m also about to plan the Cozy Creek Fire Brigade’s Fall Fundraiser pro bono. The woman has skills. No one says no to Gigi.”

“It’s not pro bono. We have a budget. I’d never ask you to work for free.”

“Even better. But I must insist on a bachelor auction. I’ve always wanted to plan one, and everyone always says no.”

“I’ll think about it. I do not relish the idea of being sold to the highest bidder.” Unless I could somehow get her to bid on me, I would be entirely on board for that.

“Yay! We’re working so well together already. Now go buy me tacos while I snag one of those picnic tables over there.” Her satisfied laugh was infectious. It was impossible to be in a bad mood around her.

“Yes, ma’am,” I agreed through my smile. “Something to drink?”

“Surprise me.”

“You got it.”

I stepped into the line and watched her walk to the picnic area, the smile never leaving my face as I looked forward to the rest of my day—something I hadn’t done in months. She was indeed wearing heels; her legs were amazing, and that ass was something out of a dirty dream. I wanted to take a bite out of it.

I brought our food to the table and slid across from her, trying to control my attraction, but it was almost impossible. That yellow dress was doing things to me that would be inappropriate for her to know about at this point in our relationship. Relationship? I caught myself, frustrated that I couldn’t get control of my feelings for her.

“How are you feeling?” I asked.

“Starved. That smells delicious. And you?”

I want you, and I shouldn’t

You’re gorgeous, hilarious, smart, and funny. My kids adore you, and I hate that I want you so bad.

I cleared my throat and popped open my Coke. “They make the best tacos in town. Let’s dig in while it’s hot.”

We each finished a taco before she broached the bachelor auction topic again.

“I don’t think any of the guys would go for it.”

“I get that. But it would be simple and fun. We will make it totally innocent. We could hold a dinner the next night in the same place for the date. It could be a planned event that everyone in town could attend—and it could be ticketed.”

“So that means it would raise even more money.”

“Exactly. Double the money. Who wouldn’t want to show up to see how the dates turn out?”

“Okay, let’s add that to the list. How bad could it be?”

“It will be totally innocent, I promise. And no one would have to be alone with their date at any time. That would be icky.”

Icky.I nodded my agreement with a smirk as she pulled out a tablet and added it to a list she’d already started. I tried to take a peek, and she pulled it to her chest with a shake of her head.

“No peeking. We need party favors to sell. How about a Cozy Creek Fire Brigade calendar? Featuring twelve of your most smokingly hot fire dudes.”

“No way.”

“Do you want to make some serious money for the station? Or whatever you’re raising it for.”

“Of course I do.”

“What is the money going to, anyway?”

“Gear, food for the station, various charities we sponsor, station tours for kids—they love stickers and those plastic fire hats—the holiday pancake breakfast, a bunch of stuff. I could email you the itemized list from last year if you think it would help.”

“No, that’s okay, I don’t need it. Oh! We could create trading cards with your pictures on them. Think of the kids in their little hats, Cole. Kids love trading cards, and their mothers would too—I’m just saying.”

“Do you really think those would sell?”

“I’ve been here a little over a week and noticed two things this town loves more than anything. Carbs and eye candy. Do you know how much attention you and the rest of the Fire Brigade attract when you’re at Gigi’s, drinking your smoothies and eating those sad little egg-white breakfast sandwiches? Plus, tell me you’ve seen all the heads in town whipping to the side whenever one of you jog by on the park trail.”

I flattened my lips together so I wouldn’t laugh. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Sure you don’t. Okay.” Her eyes shifted to the side as her lips pursed to stifle a laugh. “I’ll humor you on the off chance you really don’t notice. Try paying attention next time you are out for a run, and you’ll see it for yourself. I can promise you that. Trust me, anything with your pictures will sell like hotcakes.”

“Okay, maybe I just don’t want to pose for any pictures, and at least half of the guys won’t either.”

She laughed. “Fair enough. But you have to admit, selling a firefighter calendar is pretty standard. Lots of firehouses do it.”

“Fine, you’re right. I’ll talk to the guys but don’t count on it. And no trading cards. I do not see that happening at all.”

“How about a wet T-shirt contest, then? You could all wear those cute pants with the suspenders hanging down and your blue Cozy Creek Fire Brigade T-shirts.” Her eyes lit up with mischievous, smug delight as she awaited my reaction.

Shocked, I burst out with a startled laugh. “No. Not happening. No way.”

“Dunk tank?” Her head tilted to the side speculatively.

I crossed my arms over my chest. “Nope.”

“Shirtless car wash?”

“Oh god, no.”

“I know. I think I have it this time.”

I bit my lip and shook my head from side to side as I waited to see what ridiculously hilarious suggestion would come out of her mouth next. “What is it? Come on. Don’t hold back on me now.”

“We could line you all up and auction off a chance to spray you down with the fire hose.”

I threw my head back with a laugh. “You are oddly determined to get us all wet, aren’t you? What would Gigi think?”

“Oh, please, half of this was her idea. The woman is shameless, and so are her friends. Do you think she started serving protein smoothies and healthy breakfast options with no ulterior motive? Nope. She did it to get you guys into the Confectionery every day. But listen, I was joking about most of those suggestions.” She grew momentarily serious. “Please, tell me you know that.”

I covered her hand with mine. “I know. Don’t worry.”

Her eyes twinkled mischievously in the sunlight as her lips tipped up at the corners. “I bet the calendar idea looks pretty good now, right?”

“Okay, fine,” I answered with a chuckle. “We’ll do the calendar. It’s the most normal thing you’ve suggested so far.”

“Yay!” She tugged her hand away and held it up for a high-five.

Instead, I pulled it toward me and kissed the back, pleased when her cheeks turned fiery red. “You’re amazing,” I murmured. “I haven’t laughed like this in months. I enjoyed having lunch with you.”

“I don’t know about amazing. But there is definitely something wrong with me.”

“Nothing is wrong with you. You’re brilliant and hilarious. You saved the fall fundraiser, and I can’t thank you enough.”

“You’re too sweet.”

“Can’t say I’ve ever been accused of that before.”

“I enjoyed everything about having lunch with you today. We’re going to have so much fun planning this. I can’t wait to see what we can come up with together.”

“Same. I’m looking forward to it now.”

“Good. So, are the bachelor auction and calendar a yes then?” She fluttered her eyelashes in mock flirtation before tapping something on her tablet’s screen.

“Do you always get your way?” I couldn’t fight it; my smile was etched across my face. Maybe it would be permanent. The urge to pull her across the table and kiss her was overwhelming.

“Hardly ever. And I have the feeling you don’t give in easily, so I’m feeling pretty good right now. And deep down, you know a calendar and an auction will raise a ton of money.”

“Nah, I think it’s just you. I don’t want to say no to you.”

“Ahh, that could be dangerous.” She was smiling, radiant, and completely correct. She was an absolute danger to my heart.