Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 96312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 482(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 482(@200wpm)___ 385(@250wpm)___ 321(@300wpm)
I turned in his arms to show him the perfectly toasted marshmallow, suddenly aware of how close we were. His eyes had gone dark in the firelight, and for a moment, I thought he might kiss me right there in front of half of Legacy’s population.
Instead, someone nearby called out, “Hey, lovebirds, you heating up marshmallows or each other?”
We stepped apart quickly, both of us flushing.
I cleared my throat and held up my golden marshmallow triumphantly. “Can’t we do both?”
The group around the fire erupted in laughter and good-natured whistles. Maddox rolled his eyes but was fighting a smile as he helped me assemble my s’more with graham crackers and chocolate.
We found a quieter spot on a bench slightly removed from the main crowd, close enough to feel the fire’s warmth but far enough away for something resembling privacy. I put my phone away and just enjoyed the moment—the taste of perfectly melted chocolate and marshmallow, the sound of laughter and conversation around us, the solid presence of Maddox beside me.
“These things can be kind of a lot,” he said suddenly, his voice quiet. “Everyone watching everyone else’s business. But with you here, it’s… not bad.”
I looked at him in surprise. This was the first time he’d admitted to enjoying my company without immediately following it up with reasons why it was a terrible idea.
“Careful, Sullivan,” I said, keeping my tone light even as something warm bloomed in my chest. “You’re starting to sound like someone who likes me.”
“Maybe I do.” He met my eyes, and I saw something vulnerable there, something real. “Maybe that’s not the worst thing in the world.”
We sat in comfortable silence for a moment, shoulders touching, watching the fire pop and crackle. I wanted to say something meaningful, something that would capture how good this felt—this easy intimacy, this sense of belonging somewhere, with someone. But the words felt too big, too dangerous.
Instead, I bumped his shoulder gently with mine. “Thanks for helping me not burn down Legacy on my first fire safety assignment.”
“Don’t thank me yet,” he replied, gesturing toward where Chief Kincaid was approaching with what looked like official paperwork. “Pretty sure you’re about to get a lecture on proper marshmallow technique.”
But Chief Kincaid just wanted to make sure I had everything I needed for my content, to thank me for promoting fire safety to my followers, and to apologize for snapping at me earlier. He was professional and friendly, but I found myself comparing his straightforward charm to Maddox’s more complex appeal. The chief was undeniably attractive, but he didn’t make my pulse race or my stomach flip the way Maddox did with just a glance.
The three of us moved back to the fire, slipping into professional mode long enough to film a few more clips with the chief about bonfire and backyard fire pit safety, indoor fireplace safety, and proper fire-extinguishing techniques.
After Kincaid thanked me and moved on to check on other guests, I noticed Maddox helping a little girl who’d panicked and dropped her skewer in the dirt when the logs on the fire popped and crackled.
He crouched down to her level, handed her a fresh marshmallow to try again, and stood beside her with his hand on the stick covering hers.
Without really thinking about it, I turned my camera back on.
“I know it looks scary,” Maddox said, patiently soothing the girl’s fears in a gentle voice that made something squeeze tight in my chest. “But we’ve got this. See? As long as we hold on tight and don’t let go.”
“The best lesson from tonight’s adventure,” I whispered softly, watching Maddox laugh at something the little girl said, his whole face transforming with genuine warmth. “Even when you’re scared, hold tight and don’t let go.”
I clicked off the recording immediately, my cheeks burning hotter than the bonfire. That definitely wouldn’t be going in the final edit, but I couldn’t bring myself to delete it either.
Some fires, I was learning, were worth the risk of getting burned.
#FireSafetyAndFlirtation #BonfireBanter #SmoreThanFriends #HeatingUp
18
#COMEHOME
MADDOX
The bonfire was winding down, families with small kids heading home first, leaving the adults to nurse their spiked ciders and debate whether Chief Kincaid and Alex Marian were going to murder each other or make out behind the equipment shed.
My money was on the latter, based on the heated looks they’d been exchanging all evening.
I watched Adrian pack up his gear, noting the easy way he moved now compared to his first day in Legacy. Less stilted, more natural. He’d stopped checking his appearance in his phone screen every five minutes but somehow managed to look more gorgeous than ever. The fire had left his cheeks flushed and his eyes bright, and when he caught me staring, his grin was huge.
“Good content tonight,” he said, slinging his bag over his shoulder. “Though I’m pretty sure the real story was whatever was happening between those two.” He jerked his head toward where Kincaid and Alex were still engaged in what looked like the world’s most sexually charged argument about… fire code violations?