I’ll eat, take a walk through Bryant Park, and then I’ll call it a night.
I covered someone else’s shift today as a return of a favor. Tomorrow I start my regular rotation, so once I get home, my day is over.
Chapter 19
Afton
I turn and stare as a fire truck races past us.
Joel doesn’t react to the flashing red lights or the siren. His gaze is set solidly on my face. “Something tells me you’re hoping to get a glimpse of the wedding crasher all decked out in his gear.”
I suddenly regret telling my best friend that Luke is a fireman. I did that during dinner last night. Nelson was on a call with a patient while I sat at the dining room table with Joel.
He asked me if I’d seen Luke again, and in my infinite wisdom, I shoved half of a roll in my mouth right after I announced what my current crush does for a living.
Joel was impressed.
By the time Nelson came back into their dining room, my best friend had taken the conversation down a new path that centered on his career choice.
His audition for the movie is fast approaching, so he took the time to explain his potential part in more detail.
I listened intently as I chewed my way through the dinner my brother had prepared so Joel and I would have something to eat after work.
“Everyone turns to look when a fire truck passes,” I explain. “See.”
My finger wags in the direction of a woman and two small children. Their gazes are trailing the path of the fire truck too.
“You can’t count them.” He shakes his head. “Kids are fascinated by loud noises, and the woman is probably concerned that someone is hurt. Just look at the expression on her face.”
I glance in that direction to see the woman’s hand hovering over her mouth.
“She’s like you.” Joel smiles. “You worry about stuff like that too, but this time, you’re more worried about missing your chance to see Luke the fireman. I know you want to add that image to your fantasy rotation.”
Rolling my eyes, I chuckle. “You’re ridiculous.”
“I’m observant,” he counters. “You’re going to see him again, right?”
He stresses the word ‘ see ’ as though it has a hidden meaning. The goofy grin on his face only adds to his playful tone.
“I’m going to teach him how to cook something,” I say with honesty even though Luke and I haven’t communicated in days.
I assume he’s still interested in learning how to cook the pasta dish showcased on Rise and Shine.
“Is that code for sex?”
I widen my eyes as a couple of college-age girls giggle their way past us. “Joel, enough.”
“I’m no expert on what Warren was like in the sack.” He scrunches his nose. “But, I’m guessing he wouldn’t win any awards for his technical skills.”
I never discussed what Warren and I did in the bedroom, but Joel isn’t wrong. I always had to strum my clit to get off whenever Warren went down on me or when he was inside of me.
“Moving on to a new subject,” I begin as I roll my hand in the air. “Tyler called earlier. He wants us at Nova tomorrow by eight.”
Joel stops mid-step. “In the morning?”
I try to hold in a laugh. “It’s a good thing. Once you land that role in Ireland, you’ll probably have to be on set before dawn breaks.”
“True,” he agrees with a nod of his head. “I’ll be at your door at seven fifteen sharp. If I catch a glimpse of a certain sexy fireman with bedhead and no shirt, I won’t complain.”
Nudging my elbow into his side, I point ahead. “Let’s get moving. We’ve got a full day of work ahead of us.”
Joel takes wider steps as we approach the bistro we’re headed to. “I fucking love this place. I’m going to miss it when I move to Ireland.”
My heart clenches with those words. I know it’s his dream to star in a movie, but I won’t see him for at least six months if he lands the part. Nelson has been toying with the idea of joining Joel, so that would be a double loss for me.
I shake off the selfish feelings and smile. I won’t rain on his parade. I want this for him. “I promise that the day you come back to Manhattan, I’ll treat you to lunch here.”
He glances in my direction. “It’s a date.”
***
“You’ve been avoiding talking about them,” my brother says as he takes a seat next to my dining room table. “Tell me why that is.”
I instantly know that he’s referring to our folks.
When I had dinner with Joel and Nelson last night, I briefly mentioned that I stopped by our parents’ penthouse only to find out that they’d left town.
Joel seemed surprised, but I could tell that Nelson wasn’t.