Me: I just realized I have no idea where the firehouse is. Can you give me directions from Pete’s Bakery?
Within seconds, he’s replied.
Lucas: Go left at the corner of Oak Street and keep walking. The firehouse is across the street on the right. I can’t wait to see you.
I smile.
Me: I can’t wait to see you either.
I put the phone back in my pocket and follow Lucas’s directions, Roman cycling beside me. I laugh when I turn the corner and see the firehouse a couple of hundred yards up the street. We were literally right around the corner. My stomach flips with nervous excitement the closer I get, and I take a deep breath as I walk up the driveway. Roman climbs off his bike, and I move it out of the way of the entrance, not wanting his bike to be in the way if they’re called out to an emergency.
“Can I help you?” a voice shouts, and I look up to see a guy climbing out of one of the fire trucks.
I walk toward him and into the firehouse. “Hi. I’m looking for Lucas.”
A smile tugs on his lips, his eyes going from me to Roman. “Melody?” he asks, and I raise my eyebrows in surprise.
“Erm… yes,” I tell him, wondering how he knows my name.
He laughs. “Lucas hasn’t stopped talking about you for the past two days.”
“Oh.” My cheeks flush with heat, and despite feeling embarrassed by what he’s said, my stomach dips knowing Lucas has been talking about me.
“And you must be Roman,” he says, kneeling down in front of Roman, who’s hiding behind my leg. “Lucas tells me you want to be a firefighter?”
“Sorry, he’s a little shy,” I explain, coaxing Roman to let go of the death grip he has on my leg.
“That’s okay. I’ll take you to Lucas. He’s in the kitchen. I’m Liam.”
I take Roman’s hand and follow Liam farther into the firehouse. “Nice to meet you, Liam.”
Liam guides us to the back of the building and up a narrow staircase. When we reach the top of the stairs, a hallway leads into a large kitchen.
“Someone to see you, Lucas,” Liam shouts as we walk in.
My eyes find Lucas’s across the room, and he smiles. He stands from the large table he’s sitting at and walks toward me. I can’t help but stare at him. He looks hot in his dark blue firehouse t-shirt, which is stretched tight across his chest. My eyes drop to his tanned arms, and I remember just how good it felt to be held by him. When he reaches me, he leans down and brushes a kiss on my cheek.
“Hi.”
“Hi,” I whisper, my eyes locked on his.
He stares at me for a few seconds before looking down at Roman.
“Hey, little man. So, I see you met Liam. He’s a firefighter too.”
Roman presses himself against my side, and I squeeze his hand reassuringly. He’s always been shy around new people, even though I know how excited he must feel to be in the firehouse.
“Why don’t you show Lucas and Liam what we got them from Pete’s Bakery,” I tell him, letting go of his hand and reaching inside the bag for the box of muffins and cookies. I hand it to Roman, who passes it quickly to Lucas.
“What’s in here?” Lucas asks as he takes the box.
Roman looks at me, and I nod encouragingly.
“Muffins and cookies,” he says quietly.
“Are there some chocolate chip cookies? They’re my favorite.”
“Mine too!” Roman shouts excitedly, suddenly forgetting his shyness. “Mommy, did we get chocolate chip?” he asks, tugging on my arm.