9
Luca
I’ve just turned the engine off after backing into the garage when Scotty’s shout echoes through the air.“VIP in the building!”
Hopping down, I slam the door shut and follow the noise, my day suddenly looking up when I see that the guest in question is Lonnie.
“Hey, beautiful,” I say, walking straight up to her and pulling her in for a hug.I don’t miss the way she stiffens for a second before melting into me like she normally does.What’s that about?Figuring it’s just because we’re in front of the crew, I let it and her go and step back, but still stay close, resting my ass against the edge of the dining table.“No work today?”
She shakes her head and smiles.“I’ve got a half-day.We were quiet this afternoon and I’ve got a few errands to run, so Val told me to go do them.”
“My sister’s good like that.”
“She is ...”We stand there grinning at each other.It’s like we’re just hanging out like normal—well,beforethat awkwardness of her interrupted date and the talk the next day.I’ve only seen her a couple of times in the past week and a half, which is definitely not our norm, and I want to get things back to the way they used to be.
I look down at the delicious-smelling brown paper bag on the table next to me.“So you thought you’d come and see your most favorite firefighter?Aww, I’m touched, Lonnie.”
She snorts and shakes her head.“I actually bought in some lunch for Dad but he had to take a phone call, so I thought I’d hang out here until he’s free.”
“Hold up ...”I say, feigning offense.“I thoughtIwas your number one.Where’smylunch?”I pout, seeking and getting an amused smirk from my best friend.Her body language relaxes, which was my mission all along.I would never want her to be all tense and uncomfortable around me.because that’s not the way we are around each other.
“Hold up, Rossi.You thoughtyouwere number one?I swear you’re delusional,” Scotty says, sidling up to Lonnie and hooking his arm over her shoulders.
“Shh, baby.Don’t tell everyone.That’s our little secret,” she stage whispers in his ear.
The cocky grin he shoots me is so big it damn near lights up the entire firehouse.And even though I know he’s winding me up, I still feel that same weird pang of possessiveness grow inside of me, like I did when I saw her withPerfect Brock.
“Want to get your hands off her, Scotty, or do I need to call yourgirlfriendand let her know you’re hanging off another woman?”I say, my brow arched as I take a step toward them.London’s expression is almost comical, whereas Scotty can’t seem to move away fast enough, his hands jumping up in the air.
“Look, nothing happened.Nothing's going to happen.It’s just a friend greeting a friend, that’s all.No need to report back to anyone, yeah?”He’s rambling now, his words tripping over each other as he backs away.
Damn, the guy mustreallylove his woman ...Doesn’t mean I’m not going to screw with him for a little bit longer.
I turn to Marco and Rhodes who are both leaning back against the couch, arms crossed in front of their chests while they sit back and watch the show.“Do you think the man protests too much?”I ask.
Marco smirks, Rhodes snickers, and unfortunately for me, Cap walks into the room which means fun time is over.
“Sorry about that, sweetheart,” Cap says.
“It’s okay, Dad.You weren’t expecting me.I just felt like surprising you with lunch and maybe running something by you,” London says, her eyes sliding my way quickly before she looks back to Cap.NowIwant to go into Cap's office becauseI’m usually one of the first people London 'runs' things past.Have I been demoted?
“Sure thing.How about I save you from these larrikins and we go eat in my office?”
“Sounds good.”
“Aww Cap, you’re breaking Scotty’s heart.He was just getting cozy with London,” Zach, another of our firefighters, calls out.Cap—well used to our shit by now—narrows his eyes at Scotty, who I swear turns a new shade of pale.
“Anything you want to tell me, Firefighter Jones?”
“What?No ...I mean, not at all, Cap.I’m a taken man.You know that,” Scotty stutters for the second time in five minutes.
“Good to know, Jones,” Cap says, wrapping his arm around Lonnie’s shoulders.“Should we go eat before we get interrupted again?”
“Sure.”She leans into him, a soft smile curving her perfectly painted burgundy lips, the color accentuating them and making any single red-blooded male want to kiss them bare again.Whoa ...where didthatthought come from?
Cap looks around the room at all of us.“By the way, the commissioner just wanted to check that you were all signed up for the charity auction at the end of the month.Since the money is going to the firefighter support fund, I assured him we’d all be there.Right?”
“Yes, sir,” everyone except Marco says.He holds his hand up like a student waiting for his teacher to choose him to talk.