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Cole
When we sit down to eat, I’m at the head of the table, and Harbor is at the opposite end. I’d have preferred sitting next to her, but my parents insisted I take the head of the table. If they were pushing for marriage and grandchildren any harder, I’d be smashed inside a vise.
Not that I mind. I would love to marry Harbor. The problem is explaining to my parents that I’m moving to San Francisco, and it’s clear they expect Harbor to move back home. But my job can be done anywhere, hers can’t.
“I heard there was a fire at Hampton’s.” My dad places his fork on his napkin and studies me. “Sounds like a close call.”
I rotate my shoulders. My parents always worry. Not that I blame them. When I have a son, I’m not sure I’ll be excited for him to follow in my footsteps. “It was a hot one, but there wasn’t any real danger for us. We stayed safely outside until the fire was tamed.”
“You should go work for Nolan at the hardware store.” My mom lays her hand on my forearm. “You’re basically family, and he needs a new manager.”
“Mom, we’re safe. We’re well trained and we don’t put ourselves or each other in danger.” Unless someone’s life was at stake. I don’t say the words because that would start a whole new episode of hysterics.
“I know.” She exhales loudly, “But each one of you would sacrifice yourselves to save someone else.”
Shit. I guess I didn’t need to say it.
Harbor clutches her fresh glass of water with a death grip. Until this topic came up, she was chatting, laughing, and joking while downing her first glass of water. Her mother even commented that maybe the hydration was what made her face glow. My father choked on his lobster, and it took everything inside me not to crawl under the table.
“Mom, don’t freak Harbor out.”
“Right.” She straightens in her seat. “I’m being irrational. But you just found each other, and I don’t want anything to happen. Forget I said anything. I don’t want Harbor to break up with you.”
“I’m not breaking up with Cole, but I’m not going to lie.” Her eyes are wary as she shifts her attention from me to my mom. “I worry about him. I’ve always worried about him, but I know he’s safe and takes precautions.” Her gaze meets mine. “I’m proud of him.” She winks playfully as if she’s trying to lighten the mood. “And it’s super sexy.”
“Thank you.”
“Those are two reasons I love him.” Pink stains her cheeks as our mother’s sigh. We’re like their own personal romantic comedy.
“Only two?” I raise my hands with my palms open as if in question. “There are only two reasons?”
“No.” Her smile is sweet yet sassy. “There are a lot of reasons, but those are two of the PG ones.” She lifts her water glass and salutes me.
Naughty little minx. Exactly how long until we can get these people to leave? I’m ready to lay her on the table and eat dessert. As if she senses my train of thought, everything, including her ears turns pink, and my father shifts in his seat.
“Okay, guys. I think it’s time to head out and leave these two alone.” My dad scoots his seat backward. “How would you both like to come over and play cards?”
“I think that’s a great idea.” Nolan stands while wiping his hands on a napkin and dropping it on the table. “But Cole, if you ever need a job, there’s a spot open at the hardware store.”
“Thank you, Nolan.” I join him. “I appreciate it, but I love what I do. I love being on a team that depends on each other and has each other’s backs. I don’t mean you guys don’t support each other at the hardware store, but I’m more of an outdoors kind of guy.”
“I know, son.” He shakes my hand. “We just want you both to know you have our full support. We love seeing the two of you together and how happy you are. It makes all the years of sacrifice worth it.”
“Yes.” Ann Marie hugs Harbor. “And don’t wait too long for those babies. I’ve been dying for six years to spoil a grandchild like your grandma did. Feed them candy and send them home. Complain that you’re too hard on the kid’s topic. And all those other annoying grandparent things.”
“Mom, you’ve got to stop. Cole is going to break up with me if you keep talking like this.”
She glances over her shoulder. “He looks like a pretty sturdy young man. I don’t think he’s that easy to scare off.”
The second they leave, Harbor covers her face and groans, “I’m so sorry.” She drops her arms to her sides. “That was embarrassing. I had no idea my mom would push so hard on the kid’s topic.” She refuses to meet my eyes by staring at the wall behind me. “I don’t want you to think that’s what I want.” She waves her hands in the air. “I mean, sure, I’d like to have kids someday, but not today. I mean….,” she mumbles, “I know a baby takes nine months. But….” She drops her head backward and stares at the ceiling. “I–”
“Pip.” I cup her face with my fingertips threading though her hair and wait until she drops her chin back down and meets my eyes. “I love you, and I plan to marry you and have a family. They’re not scaring me off with a few random comments about feeding our kids candy and sending them home.” I smirk. “And don’t think for a second I haven’t done that to Emilia, Mom, and Dad since she moved in with them.”
“Cute.” She smiles and steps into my body, wrapping her arms around my waist. The instant she’s near me, everything is right in the world. “I love you, and I like the way you’re thinking.”
“Good.” I rest my forehead against hers. “I don’t want you to run off either because I chose firefighting over a manager’s position.”
“Don’t.” She shakes her head and runs her hands up and down my back. “I’d be stupid not to worry, but being the girlfriend of a firefighter is hot.” She cringes. “No pun intended.”
