“Firefighters?” Hailey grins. “I don’t know anyone in their right mind who would say no to that.”
“But you remember my rule, don’t you?” He gives her a pointed look.
Both of us say the phrase in unison. “Don’t date my guys.”
There’s never been a time before when I’ve hated that rule more than I hate it now. No one has intrigued me like Danny Ramirez in a long time and fuck if he’s not off limits.
We grab water bottles and head outside while he goes to his truck.
“Be safe,” he calls to us.
“We will be,” we yell together.
The two of us wave as he backs out and drives away. Turning in the opposite direction, we take off walking.
“So, what’s been going on since you got into town?” Hailey asks.
We’re walking slowly to start out, getting warmed up before we kick it into high gear. “Not a whole lot,” I sigh. “It’s weird being back, but at the same time I’m glad to be home.”
“That’s how I felt when I graduated. In the end I couldn’t stay here because the opportunities for me to advance in my field weren’t here. Nashville isn’t terribly far away; I can be back here within a few hours. Just being in the state is enough for me.” She bumps my shoulder. “But I knew it wouldn’t be for you.”
Glancing over, I smirk at her. It’s true. Bradford is deep in my bones, part of my DNA. Anywhere else and I don’t feel settled. Without a doubt, I knew to be happy and live up to my potential, I would have to come back. “I have unfinished business with this place.”
“Hayden…”
“I know. What mom did doesn’t reflect on us, but…” It’s hard to explain to someone else, even if she is my sister. “I wanna prove being in Bradford doesn’t mean what she thought it did. It’s not a one-stoplight town. We have culture; anyone can be happy here.”
“You don’t have to explain your choices to me. I’m just saying there’s nothing for you to prove. Nothing would have made her stay and the best thing we can do is live our lives to their fullest extent.”
“What you’ve said is true.” I take a drink of my water. “It’s just a part of my personality that I need to get the last word in.
She laughs. “You’re telling me? I think I know it better than anyone else.”
“I met a guy.” I grin over at her.
“Do tell,” she squeals.
“The worst kind of guy,” I groan over dramatically.
“Why do you say that?”
“So I got stuck at the pass. Had a flat tire and couldn’t get the lug nuts off; they were too tight. I tried for over an hour. No one stopped to help me until this hottie in a Jeep.”
“Hottie in a Jeep? Sounds like the beginning of a country song.”
“A really good one,” I agree. “Anyway, he got out, and dayum…”
“I need all the details,” she giggles as we pick up the pace.
“Girl…tall, dark, and handsome. Dark hair, tan skin, a head and a half taller than me,” I sigh. “Five o’clock shadow, lean, but muscular at the same time.”
“Sounds like he should be on the cover of a romance novel.”
“He could be,” the breath I blow out makes my lips flutter together. “Here’s the thing, though.”
“Uh oh…”
“Yeah.” My hair hangs in my eyes and I push it back. “It was chilly, so he gave me his jacket to wear.”