“How does it work with your schedule?” she asked. “Taking classes, I mean.”
“There are classes at the community college which are only on the weekend,” I explained. “I can’t take a full semester, but I’m slowly getting my degree.”
Clara frowned. She was absolutely adorable when she frowned. “Why aren’t you at classes this weekend? You’re not skipping them just to go out with me, are you?’
I smiled. “It’s summer. I only take classes in the fall and spring.”
“Oh. Duh!” She shook her head, then paused. “Wait. Then what were you reading today? I saw you studying in your room all afternoon.”
“Well, I’m trying to get ahead,” I replied. “I have my fall schedule all planned out. For example, I’m takingTrauma ManagementandSpecial Populations.Even though class doesn’t start until the end of August, I bought the textbooks and started reading them to get a head start. Because once the semester begins, it can be tough to keep up while working at the firehouse.”
“I bet that’s hard with such a chaotic schedule,” Clara mused.
“You have no idea! One week we’ll get almost no calls, and I’ll have plenty of time to study. Then the next week I’ll have an exam to study for, and of course we’ll be super busy and I struggle to find time.”
“That’s how it works,” she said with a rueful shake of her head. Her blond hair swayed around her shoulders. “The calls happen at the most inconvenient time.”
“There’s no convenient time for a house to burn down,” I said.
“Also true.”
“Which is why we teach people not to leave ovens on when they’re not home,” I said, deadpan.
She gave me a glare that could have ignited a fire. “I can’t believe you just reminded me of that.”
“Reminded you of what?” I casually sipped my wine. “I’m just commenting on one of thevery basicfire-prevention facts. Never leave an oven unattended, no matter how low the temperature is.”
Clara groaned, which made me grin even harder.
“I think it’s wonderful that you want to help people,” she said. “There’s so much bad in the world. It’s encouraging to see people like you who want to make a difference.”
“It’s nice to know it’s appreciated,” I replied.
“Cheers to that.” We clinked wine glasses together and she favored me with a warm smile. My stomach felt all fluttery, like I was on a roller coaster.
Yeah. I definitely have it bad for this girl.
“What about you?” I asked. “What did you want to be when you grew up?”
“Hell if I know!” she said. “I got my degree in English Literature, because IlikeEnglish literature, but it turns out it’s not something I can easily make a career out of. Unless I want to teach, which I do not. I’m jealous of people like you who knew what you wanted to do from the start.”
I shrugged. “You’re great with Baby Anthony. If all else fails, you can make a career out of nannying.”
“After the diapers I’ve had to change in the past twenty-four hours? I’m not sure I want to dothatfor a living.”
The two of us laughed and waved to the waitress for more wine.
19
Clara
Before the date started, I was a bundle of nervous energy. I had all the normal pre-date jitters, with the added complexity of this being a totally abnormal situation: I was going on a first date withTaylor, the best friend and colleague of Jordan, who I had already slept with.
To say I was a nervous wreck was an understatement.
But Taylor turned out to be a wonderful guy. He was easy to be around—fun and carefree and lighthearted, without any pressure or awkwardness about the situation we were in. Everything felt natural around him, and I soon began to relax.
I found myself wanting to be totally honest with him, too.