“Sunshine! I’ve heard you made a lady friend.”
I roll my eyes, thinking about how Captain Thomas have been friends for forty years, so nothing passes by either of them.
“Did you? Wonder where you got that information.” I half-smile. People think only women gossip. That’s complete bullshit. Get ten men in a room and all they have to do is talk, they’ll start going on about all kinds of shit. I think some men at the firehouse could give the ladies down at the church potluck a run for their money.
“You know a gentleman never reveals his sources. But never mind that. Just wanted to call and tell you that I love you and I can’t wait to meet her.”
I feel myself smile when I hear his own happiness. My father said my mom wanted more than anything for me to find happiness with someone. And then I think, maybe she had a hand in all this. God knows it would take someone being thrown at me, for me to recognize someone standing right in front of me. But then I picture Fia’s beautiful blue eyes, and I know there’s no way I would miss her. Not in a crowd of a thousand people. I’d always find her and want her in my arms. But I like the idea that maybe my mom sent an angel, and I’m going to make sure I take care of that gift.
“Why don’t you let me meet her first? And then I’ll bring her to see you.”
God, this is all happening so fast, and what if it’s only happening in my head? What if, when I get back to the apartment, she takes one look at me and decides I’m not worth it?
Shaking off that thought, I know that’s not going to happen. She felt that connection, too. There’s something between us that both of need to figure out, and I plan on doing just that.
“Fine, fine, take your time, my boy. But don’t keep me waiting. I’ve got grandbaby fever already.”
Sighing, I get off the phone, promising to bring her by as soon as I can. If the old man wasn’t so adorable, I’d probably go crazy.
“Okay,” I say to myself, looking at the candy. “What does a beautiful woman who’s lost everything in a fire and who’s currently asleep in my bed want as a snack?”
9
Fia
I snuggle deeper into the softest bed I’ve ever slept in, feeling the morning sun hitting my face. Rolling over onto my back, I stretch, a smile spreading across my face. I haven’t felt this relaxed in…
My eyes pop open, and memories of last night flood my brain. I bolt from the bed, looking around the room for a clock.
Ten o’clock. Shit! I’m late! It’s then I realize I’m stark naked, the fluffy towel I used last night lying discarded on the floor. I’m naked in a man’s home. I just crashed last night, not even thinking about what I was doing. I’d only meant to rest my eyes for a moment. Maybe because while last night might have been a mess and set me back months and months, I’d never felt safer in my life. In that moment when I was in Derek’s arms, and when he just held my hand, I knew nothing could happen to me. From the sheer determination in his eyes, I knew he’d never let anything touch me.
It was the first time I could ever remember feeling nothing but calm in a man’s presence. Unafraid. It was refreshing and just felt so right with him. The thought of leaving here makes a knot form in my stomach. I don’t want to leave. I want to crawl back into the bed and sleep for a few more hours, maybe even days, but that just isn’t an option.
I grab the clothes still sitting in a pile at the end of the bed and slide the shirt from the firehouse over my head, making me miss Derek even more. The thing falls to my knees and looks more like a dress. Next I grab the sweatpants and pull them up my legs. I have to roll them a million times to get them to fit.
I walk into the bathroom and look for the slippers the hospital gave me. I put them on, then grab the clothes off the floor. I want to make sure I don’t leave anything a mess, so I quickly put the towel in the laundry basket and make the bed back right before leaving the room and heading towards the kitchen. I’m hoping Derek will be here, but when I enter I see no one.
I won’t even get to say goodbye. I know he said I could stay here a few days, but it doesn’t feel right. I don’t even know whose place this is, and Derek is gone. After tossing the hospital clothes into the trash, knowing I’ll never get the smoke smell out, I look for a piece of paper and pen. That’s when I see a note from him taped to the front door. I pick it up and read it.
The note makes butterflies take flight in my stomach. He’s so nice, and I don’t want to take advantage of that. He’s obviously just doing his job. He’s a fireman. He saves people for a living. I’ve already overstayed my welcome. I debate taking his number, but I worry that in a moment of weakness I might take advantage of him. I could tell that Derek has a few of his own demons. I know the look of pain and loss. I could see it in Derek’s eyes. I’d seen it in my mother’s, and even mine. He doesn’t need any of my demons to add to the pile.
Derek,
Thank you for everything you did for me last night. It means more to me than you’ll ever know. Your small act of kindness reminds me that there are decent men still out there in the world.
Fia
I stare down at the note, wondering if this will be the last contact I’ll ever have with him. The knot in my stomach grows more at the idea, and I feel a little nauseated. I shake my head and let the note fall to the counter before making my way to the front door to exit the townhouse. The door locks behind me, and it’s then I realize I have no idea where I am and that I have no money. Or anything, for that matter. All that safety I was feeling in that house slips away, leaving a cold anxiety behind.