1. Jace

ONE

JACE

"How on earth are you able to balance like that?"

I glance over to see Vienna lying flat on her stomach on the board, gripping the sides for dear life.

"I can see to the bottom V, you're not going to drown."

She lets go of the side of the board, just in time to flip me off, and I chuckle as my board wobbles. "It's all about concentration and peace." I breathe deep and let it out, leveling my board out once again. "Tranquility."

"You're a fireman who thrives on chaos," she replies dryly.

"Which is exactly why I do this." I inhale again, then using my paddle, which reaches to the bottom by the way, I use it to steady myself and stand. "Okay. Now you do it."

"No fucking way!" she yells at me and the few ducks that have begun floating closer scatter. Vienna Greene is a force to be reckoned with. We met earlier this year, right before summer when she showed up to the lake with a paddleboard and not a clue how to use it. Somehow, she sucked me right in and I became her teacher.

But amongst a teacher and student, we've become friends. We're an unlikely duo; her wildness drives her, while my control drives me. But somehow she's become the older sister I never had.

"Come on, you're getting better each time we come out. Now just get up on your knees and fall to a seated position, letting your legs hang over the sides. Straighten your back and let the board float until your balance feels normal."

I stifle a laugh as I watch her slowly come to her knees. She looks like a baby deer finding its legs for the first time. She teeters back and forth but once she's sitting on the board, she's fine. She looks at me with a wide smile. "I did it!"

"I knew you could!"

We float along in Passion Cove silently for a few moments, the water like a mirror glistening around us. "So is the engagement the talk of the firehouse or what?"

My captain, Maddox Baylor just proposed to his girlfriend, Marigold and it's been big news in town. She owns the new bakery Cakeology that I've spent a lot of time in lately. Maddox's twin sister, Reece, and Vienna are best friends, but they've also brought Marigold into their little circle. Those three have become quite inseparable.

I like Marigold a lot and I'm happy that she's happy. Maddox can be a bit much but since she said yes to him, he's been easier to handle at the fire station.

"The real talk has been how much more agreeable Maddox has been." We chuckle together.

"Well, when you're getting it good every night, everyone's agreeable."

"What's your problem then?" I ask dryly.

She splashes me with the paddle. "Wells and I enjoy the fight."

"But shouldn't your attitude be better?" I goad her. I also should mention I don't like the guy all that much. They've been hooking up all summer and he's left out some important life details.

"Maybe you need an attitude adjustment. How's Poppy?" Vienna gives me a sly look and I quickly stoic my face.

"Poppy is a menace." I roll my eyes.

"She is, but I bet she's the real talk at the station, isn't she? All those guys watching Marigold's cousin come and go." She's trying to get a rise out of me but I won't give her one. I've always been cool, calm and collected, doing what's expected and taking great care in being the best I can be, making sure everyone can depend on me. It's why I went to firefighting school. I want to be the one who runs in when everyone else runs out.

The problem is, Poppy makes me lose all reasoning. I've been doing my best to give her a wide berth anytime she comes to the station or if I see her at the bakery. It's why I've been coming out here onto the pristine water more and more, needing that silence to clear my thoughts about the only woman who's ever made my heart race.

She arrived in town, tires blazing, the day Maddox proposed to Marigold, and moved right in. With wild blonde hair and a body to die for, she turned the town upside down. Her kittenish personality, flowing dresses that make you wonder what's underneath and the way she walks around singing off key to entice you to join in, draws people to her like a magnet. Her name has been on everyone's lips and the mystery surrounding this wild child has run rampant with stories through town.

And each time I hear a new "Did you know Poppy … " I want to scream because I know half of those stories are made up.

And each time the guys allude to her body and flirt shamelessly with her, I want to punch them.

Because there's something more about her that they're not seeing. Underneath the wild and carefree girl, is so much more.

Sure, I'm young, I've never had a steady girlfriend and only a handful of dates but she makes me feel things I haven't felt before—and that's just from being in the same room with her.

I'll never forget the first day she came to visit. She was there to help us all rebuild Cakeology; she was cheeky and fun. Her and Logan, Marigold's employee, seemed like long lost friends and she was giving Maddox shit. I loved every minute of it. Her playful attitude compared to my "by the book" life felt like a breath of fresh air to my soul.

But we're definitely opposites. She's thirty years old, and I'm nine years her junior and while she seems to only be looking for fun, I'd like something more serious, because that's who I am. I'm not looking to jump into bed with everyone that crosses my path. I'm not going to be that guy that gets spoken about as if I'm a reward to get and move on from. I know there are fire chasers and in a tourist town, there's always a new girl available each weekend looking to snag a fireman they can brag about when they go home. I refuse to be used that way.

"I swear she comes in just to taunt the guys."

"Not you?" I shrug but can't hide my smile. Vienna sees right through it. "I knew it!"

"Yeah, yeah." I wave her off. "She's hot, how could I not see that? But she doesn't want anything to do with me. I'm not flashy enough for her. I'm a ‘take her home to mom' type of guy. She seems like she's ready to travel the world."

"Oh Jace. You're a sweet guy with lots to learn. Women like her don't want someone the same as them. They're looking for the quiet and strong type for security."

"She's obviously looking right past me."

"I don't think so. She came from one small town to another, it seems she follows what she knows. And I have a strong feeling she wants to know you."

I wouldn't mind getting to know her. But her wild nature and my quiet life may not allow it to even happen. Throw in my dangerous job and it's going to be hard to get someone to be serious with me.