Chapter 4

4

MCKENNA

M cKenna wished she hadn’t had to leave, that she could linger in the moment with Mazey in her trailer just a bit longer. The fire truck sirens blared as they sped toward another emergency, but all McKenna could think about was how she longed for a chance to talk to Mazey again. She replayed their conversation in her mind, trying to pinpoint exactly what had drawn her in. The way Mazey’s lovely blue eyes lit up when she spoke, the subtle way she leaned closer, as if sharing a secret.

With every shared joke and curious glance, Mazey had revealed layers of herself that McKenna hadn’t expected. The actress was much more down-to-earth than she had imagined. Beyond the glamorous Hollywood facade, there was a warmth and authenticity to Mazey that drew McKenna in.

Mazey’s laughter still echoed in her mind, a melody that brightened the haze of her day. It was as if their conversation could stretch into infinity, filling her with an exhilarating sense of possibility. McKenna found herself captivated by the way Mazey spoke about her character, Lila, with such passion and depth. It was as if Lila reflected parts of Mazey that the world rarely saw.

After finding out that the call was just a false alarm, McKenna wrapped up her shift, but she couldn’t shake the thoughts of Mazey Snow from her mind. Just breathe. It was just a chat, she told herself, trying to dispel the disquieting feelings swirling within her. But deep down, she knew it had been so much more.

She found herself longing to know more about Mazey. The stories behind her laughter, the motivations driving her roles, and the dreams she harbored beyond the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. What lay beneath that confident exterior? McKenna couldn’t help but wonder.

The conversation wasn’t merely about gratitude for saving her life; it was about a connection that felt profound and genuine. It was a connection McKenna realized she desperately craved, one that stirred something deep within her that she hadn’t felt in a long time. With every passing moment, the need to explore this newfound bond grew stronger, pulling her thoughts back to Mazey and the warmth of their conversation.

She couldn’t shake the feeling that this was more than just a fleeting encounter, but rather the beginning of something unexpected and beautiful.

She definitely did not want to leave that conversation, especially for a damn false alarm. Of all the times to be called away, she thought, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. Why now? The way Mazey spoke, the warmth in her voice. It had been so nice to feel such a genuine connection with someone, so unexpected.

But what if it was just a fluke? She desperately wanted to know if Mazey was feeling it too. The thought made her heart race in a way she hadn’t felt in years. It was exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. But then again, Mazey was straight, she reminded herself, trying to ground herself in reality.

There was one person she trusted to help her navigate these feelings: her good friend Ember Thompson. The daughter of the legendary Phoenix Ridge Fire Chief Becky Thompson, Ember was a force of nature in her own right. Though she had previously worked at the fire station, (and these days did the occasional shift) she’d ventured out to open her own muscle car garage, a dream she had nurtured for years. Ember was the embodiment of adventure: fearless, driven, and unapologetically herself.

In the past, Ember had been a thrill-seeker, but everything shifted when she met her now-wife, Dr. Josephine Mars, the head of Phoenix Ridge Hospital. McKenna had seen Ember transition from the wild, rebellious spirit she once was to a devoted partner and mother. She never envisioned Ember settling down, but now they had a seven-year-old daughter who brought joy to their lives and grounded Ember in ways McKenna found admirable.

Even though Ember had embraced a safer lifestyle since becoming a mother, she never lost her adventurous spirit. She still encouraged McKenna to explore, to date, and to live life fully, often pushing her toward experiences that McKenna hesitated to pursue. Perhaps Ember felt the longing for adventure vicariously through McKenna, or maybe she simply understood the importance of embracing life's possibilities.

Regardless, McKenna appreciated Ember’s straightforwardness. She wouldn’t sugarcoat anything; if anyone could give her the unfiltered truth about her feelings for Mazey, it would be Ember. With determination, McKenna decided it was time to have that conversation. She just hoped that whatever Ember had to say wouldn’t complicate things further. Yet she couldn’t help but feel a flicker of excitement at the thought of discussing it with someone who would understand.

She hopped in her truck, the familiar rumble of the engine providing a comforting backdrop as she drove over to Ember's garage. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm glow over the Phoenix Ridge landscape, and McKenna felt a surge of anticipation. What am I even doing? Am I really about to spill my feelings to Ember?

Parking her old truck in the lot, she stepped out and made her way inside, the scent of motor oil and gasoline wrapping around her. This is just a friendly visit, she reassured herself, trying to convince herself she couldn’t have a crush on someone she barely knew.

Ember was sprawled beneath a classic Mustang, her hands buried in the engine compartment. “Hello!” McKenna called out, her voice echoing off the concrete walls.

“I could hear your old truck from a mile away; you don’t need to yell for me,” Ember shot back, her tone playful. She rolled herself out from under the car, a smudge of grease marking her cheek, and grabbed a towel to wipe her hands, leaving streaks of oil across her apron.

Why do I feel so nervous? It’s just Ember.

“What brings you here, Adams?” Ember asked, arching an eyebrow as she leaned against the car, crossing her arms.

“I went on a rescue today,” McKenna replied, a hint of pride swelling in her chest. I need to focus on the rescue. Talk about the adrenaline, not Mazey.

“Oh! How was it? What did you do? Tell me all about it!” Ember's eyes sparkled with excitement.

“It was out by the cliff. There was some production team there for a new Netflix show,” McKenna explained, feeling the adrenaline of the day rush back. “For Netflix? Fuck, that’s so cool! Who was there? Anyone famous? Wait, was there a fire?”

“No, actually, one of the actresses got stuck out on the cliff. Her damn safety harness and rig ended up snapping,” McKenna said, shaking her head as the details replayed in her mind.

“Holy fuck! She did well to stay on the cliff till you got there. Who was it?” Ember’s eyes widened in disbelief, her body tensing with concern.

“Have you heard of Mazey Snow?” McKenna asked, watching Ember’s reaction closely.

“Of course! Everyone knows Mazey Snow. I mean, I feel like she has the spirit to hold herself up there, but I didn’t think she had the strength. God damn, it must be all that CrossFit shit celebrities are doing these days. Maybe I should join,” Ember said, flexing her muscles and looking at them with a mock frown, as if trying to gauge her own strength.

“Hey, you’re plenty strong already,” McKenna reassured, chuckling. “But yeah, she was incredible. It’s wild how composed she was, even while dangling off a cliff.” God, she couldn’t stop thinking about her. Was this what a crush felt like?

Ember leaned in, intrigued. “What was she like? Did you get to talk to her?”

“Yeah, actually.” Her mind drifted back to their conversation. “She was a lot more down-to-earth than I expected. We hit it off, you know? I mean, she’s an actress, but she felt...real. It was refreshing.”

“Wait a minute,” Ember said, her expression shifting to one of playful suspicion. “Are you telling me you’ve got a crush on Mazey Snow? Because if you are, I’m going to have to get you a poster of her to hang in your bedroom.”

“Ha, ha. Very funny,” McKenna replied, rolling her eyes but unable to suppress a smile.

“No, but seriously. If you’re really interested in her, why not just go for it? What do you have to lose?” Ember leaned back against the workbench, arms crossed, an eyebrow raised in challenge.

“Yeah, that’s easy for someone who’s married to say,” McKenna shot back, trying to mask the flutter of nerves in her stomach. She wasn’t entirely convinced by her own dismissal.

“How do you think I was able to get married? By not shooting my shot? I don’t think so.” Ember’s eyes sparkled, and McKenna couldn’t help but admire her friend’s unwavering confidence.

“Okay, you’re right,” she conceded, sighing deeply. It was frustrating, this swirling mix of feelings for Mazey. It was new territory, and the thought of crossing that line filled her with both excitement and dread.

“Hey, let’s head inside. I need some coffee if I’m going to keep working on this thing,” Ember said, gesturing toward the car.

“Alright. I should be sleeping, but I guess I could drink some coffee with you,” McKenna replied, trailing behind her as they walked inside.

“Do you have work tomorrow?” Ember asked, flicking on the coffee maker.

“No, but—” McKenna began, feeling the pull of responsibility tugging at her.

“Ah, you don’t work tomorrow, so shut up.” Ember laughed, pouring steaming coffee into two mugs.

“Okay, okay! You win,” McKenna said, surrendering to the moment. McKenna followed Ember into the kitchen, the warm scent of brewing coffee filling the room. Ember grabbed two mugs from the cabinet, pouring hot coffee into each.

“You sure you don’t need something stronger?” Ember teased, offering McKenna a raised eyebrow as she set the mug in front of her.

McKenna shook her head. “Yup. I’m sure. Coffee will do just fine.”

Ember shrugged. “Suit yourself.”

They sat at the small table, the silence comfortable but filled with unspoken thoughts. Ember finally broke it.

“So, Mazey Snow, she’s known for being straight, right? Only ever with those Hollywood big shots.”

“That’s exactly what I’ve been thinking,” McKenna admitted, stirring her coffee absentmindedly. “I can’t tell if I’m just making up these feelings in my head or if she was actually giving me some kind of vibe.”

“Why overthink it? Just because someone’s been with men doesn’t mean they’re not into women. For all you know, she’s been seeing women on the down-low for years. Hollywood’s not exactly kind to lesbians.”

McKenna sighed, a mix of frustration and hope bubbling inside her. “Yeah, you’re probably right.”

Ember leaned back in her chair, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Remember my ex, Ashley? Well obviously it didn’t work out, but did I ever tell you what it was like before we got together?”

“No, you haven’t,” McKenna said, suddenly curious.

“Well, when I first met her, she didn’t even know she was into women,” Ember confessed, her eyes soft with memory.

McKenna’s eyebrows shot up. “Really?”

“Yup. I had no idea what was going on in her head. All I knew was that I was attracted to her, and I couldn’t shake it.”

“You weren’t put off by the uncertainty?”

Ember chuckled softly. “Back then? No way. I wasn’t about to let a little uncertainty stop me from something I wanted. I just had to be patient and give her time to figure things out.”

McKenna nodded, the tension in her chest easing slightly. “Did you ever worry that your feelings weren’t mutual? That she didn’t want the same thing?”

“Of course I did. But you’ve got to start with friendship and expect nothing. If it’s meant to happen, it’ll happen.”

McKenna stared down at her coffee, swirling the liquid in her cup as Ember’s words sank in. The uncertainty gnawed at her, but Ember’s story had her thinking. Could she really make an impression on Mazey in such a short time?

“But I’m not sure I have the same amount of time that you did. I mean, Mazey’s only here to film for her show, and once she’s done, she’s gone.”

Ember tilted her head, a small smile playing on her lips. “Then you’ve got to impress her before she leaves. You’d be surprised how much can happen in a short time.”

McKenna chuckled, shaking her head. “No pressure then.”

Ember laughed softly before leaning back in her chair. “You know, with Josephine, we just had a one night stand. That was where it started- now look at us. When there is a connection, there’s a connection.”

“I remember hearing about that. Wasn’t that pretty intense?”

“Not as intense as you’d think,” Ember said, grinning. “But it was when the next time we met, my mom was there and it turned out they were best friends and I had no idea! Anyway, then we fucked in my hospital room and nearly got caught.”

McKenna blinked in surprise. “Josephine? No way! She’s so calculated and safe. I never would’ve imagined that.”

“Yeah, she is for sure… but she also has a wild streak, that’s for sure. ”

“So what happened?” McKenna asked, her curiosity piqued.

“Well, my mom eventually caught us and she was MAD! But, eventually it all calmed down and we lived happily ever after! So, it is possible!”

McKenna laughed. “You are crazy. But, I kind of like your style!”

“Hey, it worked out in the end,” Ember said, shrugging. “Now look at us. She’s still running the hospital, I run a muscle car garage, and we’ve got a perfect daughter. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. But none of that would’ve happened if I didn’t have patience. Who knows what my life would’ve looked like if I hadn’t taken the time to let things unfold.”

McKenna took a slow sip of her coffee, thinking about Mazey and the limited time they had. “It’s just she’s so different from anyone I’ve ever liked before. I don’t want to mess it up.”

Ember smiled, her voice soft but firm. “You won’t. Just be yourself, McKenna. If there’s something real between you and Mazey, it’ll find its way.”

McKenna nodded, feeling a small spark of hope flare in her chest. She could make this work. Maybe she didn’t have all the time in the world, but she had enough to show Mazey who she really was, to make her see there was something worth holding onto.

“Thanks, Ember,” she said, setting down her empty cup. “I needed this talk.”

“Anytime,” Ember said, standing up and clapping McKenna on the shoulder. “Now go get some rest. You’ve got a Hollywood star to impress.”

McKenna smiled, a mix of nerves and excitement swirling inside her as she stood. She didn’t know when she would see Mazey next, but she knew that she’d just have to let whatever might happen happen.