“You, too. What brings you back to our neck of the woods?”
“Just had a meeting with your captain about how I can help support you guys.”
“That’s kind of you.” Just as long as helping wasn’t buying anyone ridiculously expensive gifts.
Evan twirled his cell phone between two fingers. “Hey, you’re friends with Hadley Easton, aren’t you?”
The false casualness in his tone set me on edge. “She’s my girlfriend, actually.”
It was the first time I’d said the word. It felt both right and like not nearly enough. She was so much more than that.
Evan straightened, his shoulders tensing. “She told me that she wasn’t interested in dating anyone.”
Hadley had conveniently forgotten to mention that this idiot had made a move on her. I sent him an easy grin. “We’ve known each other our whole lives. Timing just wasn’t right until now.”
His jaw tightened, the muscle there flexing. “Sure. Tell her I said hi.”
“Will do. You have a good day.”
Evan grumbled something under his breath and took off towards the building’s entrance.
I flexed and clenched my hands, trying to get blood flow back into my fingers. Hadley was a beautiful woman. She was charming and caring and lit up a room. I’d have to get used to the fact that I wasn’t the only person who saw that. It didn’t mean I had to like it.
I moved down the hall and quickly knocked on Captain Murray’s open door. “Morning, Cap.”
“Morning, Cruz.” He inclined his head to an open box on his desk. “I got donuts if you want one.”
“Wouldn’t say no.” I plucked up a glazed pastry and a napkin from the stack. “So, Evan Gibbs.”
Cap let out a sigh, shaking his head. “Someone’s feeling the need to make his reach known.”
“How so?”
“I think he’s determined to let everyone in town know just how big his bank account is. He wants to put on a ball to raise money for the widows and orphans fund.”
I choked on the bite of donut I’d just taken, and Cap handed me a bottle of water from his mini fridge. I took a gulp, clearing my throat. “Wolf Gap isn’t really aballkind of place.”
“I tried explaining that to him.” Cap rubbed at his temples. “Apparently, our lovely mayor thinks it’s a great idea. Hell, it’s barely eight in the morning, and I already have a headache.”
“Does this mean I’m going to have to wear a tux at some point in the future?”
“Welcome to politics, Cruz.”
I shifted in my seat, setting my donut down on his desk. “Actually, that was what I wanted to talk to you about.”
Cap leaned back in his chair, taking me in. “You having second thoughts about wanting my job?”
“I am.” I didn’t have any other words to give him at the moment. All I knew was that being with Hadley, letting myself love her, had shown me all the ways I was trying to be someone I wasn’t. I loved fighting fires with my team. I hated sitting behind a desk and making nice with people like Evan Gibbs. It was a recipe for a miserable life for me.
“Thank God.”
“Excuse me?”
Cap shook his head. “You’re an amazing leader, Calder. But your gift is being on the ground with your crew. You lead by example. Sure, you can soothe egos and hobnob if you have to, but that’s not where your true gift is. This firehouse would lose a lot if you decided to leave your post as lieutenant.” He paused for a moment, eyes widening a fraction. “Please tell me you aren’t quitting to do something else altogether.”
I chuckled. “I don’t want to leave. Some things lately just made me realize that I love what I do. I don’t want to lose it, even if my job is riskier than most.”
“Life is risky. I could have a heart attack right here at this desk. I could cross the street and get hit by a truck. We aren’t guaranteed a certain number of days on this planet. You know that better than most. It’s about the life we can fit into the days we have.”