Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 101466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
I had a feeling she wouldn’t come this afternoon. I couldn’t blame her after the way I acted.
I sighed as I headed to the kitchen, Miller following me close.
I would apologize when I got home and hoped she would forgive me.
The alarm went off just before the open house started. I raced to the truck, and we headed out. I noticed the older ladies walking to the station. They came every year to visit and fuss over us, always bringing baked goods with them. I didn’t see Casey, but then, it was still early.
Two hours later, we were back, tired, wet, and dirty. A fire in a restaurant kitchen was always difficult, and this one had been burning a while before we got there, the owner certain he could handle it.
Until it hit the cooking oil. Then he decided to call us.
I scanned the parking lot, but I didn’t see Casey’s SUV. Either she had come and gone, or she wasn’t coming. I felt the heavy rush of disappointment, but I had no one to blame but myself and my stubbornness. I should have left Miller. I should have texted her. I shouldn’t have been a coward and instead manned up and called her.
We jumped off the truck and quickly got to work refurbishing it, ready for the next incident. We changed into fresh gear then we headed into the event inside, knowing how much the kids would love it. I was anxious, hoping Casey would have arrived while we were busy. I’d have a hot shower after I spoke to her.
I scanned the crowd, Casey nowhere to be seen. There was a group of kids, excited and full of questions, and I kneeled down to their level to answer them. The crew that had stayed behind was talking with various people, one person seemingly drawing a lot of attention. Through the small crowd, I spied a vivid blue dress and creamy skin on display, the low back showing off the woman’s shoulders and arms to their advantage. There was something familiar about the set of the shoulders and the dark hair that was piled on her head, long pieces hanging down her neck and back.
I shook my head and returned my attention to the kids, promising to talk more and have pictures taken with them by the fire truck as soon as I met with some people. I rose to my feet, my height giving me the advantage of a clear view of the woman across the room. She turned, and I almost fell back to my knees.
It was Casey.
In a dress.
She told me once she didn’t even own a dress.
Whoever helped her find that one needed to be praised or smacked. I couldn’t decide which.
She was breathtaking. Achingly beautiful. And so fucking sexy, my cock roared to life simply at the sight of her.
And the crew was standing too close and being way too familiar with her. She was laughing and smiling, seemingly not noticing me at all.
I wanted to go over, drag her away, and kiss her senseless. Let them all know she was with me.
Except I had been the one to insist on privacy. Keeping our relationship between us.
And suddenly, I knew why I’d been so upset the past few days.
Because I didn’t want to keep it hidden. I wanted to be able to walk up to her and kiss her. Take her hand and tell her how beautiful she was. It didn’t matter if it was for a month or a year—it was what I wanted.
I wanted exclusive and no more hiding.
And that started right now.
CASEY
Jesse wasn’t there when I arrived at the station. Martha told me he was responding to a call, but he would be back soon. “It was contained,” she assured me.
“Okay.”
“You look incredible.”
“Oh,” I said. “Thanks. I feel a little, um, odd.”
“You don’t look odd,” she assured me. “You look summery and, frankly, sexy.”
I leaned forward, whispering, “I haven’t worn a dress since I was a kid and my mom made me.”
She laughed. “Well, it suits you.”
“It was Lou’s,” I confessed.
She looked surprised.
“I found it in a tote with some pictures. I thought it was pretty so I tried it on, and it fit. I mean, it’s a bit long, but I’m okay with that.”
“I don’t think I ever saw Lou in anything but pants,” she mused. “The occasional skirt years and years ago. But I would have remembered that dress.” She squeezed my hand. “She would have loved you wearing it.” She waved me off. “Go mingle. Your man will be back soon.”
“He’s not my man. We’re just friends.”
She smiled. “Yes. You wore that dress for your friend.” She was laughing as she walked away.
I skirted the room, my brilliant idea suddenly feeling wrong. When I’d tried on the dress, I was excited that it fit. A little tight in the chest and long, but otherwise perfect. I pulled the back up as high as it went, and I had a white sweater in case the building was chilly. I wore a pair of my fancy sneakers. They looked like lace, and I thought they matched the little trim on my chest. I wore my hair up, letting strands fall down my neck and back. Lip gloss was as far as I went with makeup.