“Oh, come on. You’re a big girl. I don’t know much about Viper, but what I do know is that if Landen wanted him hired, there’s a good reason including that he was right for the team. That means he’s damn good. I know what you’re going to say, the work is dangerous. Yes, it is. I’m not going to lie to you. There were nights I was beside myself with terror.”
“How did you get over it?”
“Honey, you could drop dead at any point in your life. You have to believe that if it’s your time to go, then you will no matter where you are in life or how safety conscious you are. Living your life as if walking on eggshells is no fun whatsoever.”
Why was it that she had it all figured out when my stomach was still doing flip-flops on a gymnasium floor? “I guess I never really had to worry before.”
“That’s called love.”
“Oh, no, you don’t. I am not in love.”
“Denial is the first sign. Well, after all the other emotions and sensual feelings ravaging your body. All I’m saying is that you’d get used to the worry, which you will have every time he goes out. But it’s short lived. They will be coming home soon. From what I heard, one engine company was already sent home, the wildland firefighters brought in ready to leave. You have nothing to worry about.”
“There you are.” Hearing Darlene’s voice behind me, some tension was eased.
“Go enjoy the night with your friends. Maybe by the time you leave, you’ll hear from him. I have a feeling you’ll be the first person he calls.” Shannon tapped the bar, winking as she did.
I mouthed a ‘thank you,’ hopeful she was right. “I’m right here.”
“About time,” my bestie teased. “We have a table. Come on.”
Darlene led the way, or I should say she danced her way through the crowd to a table close by. Cassie had already arrived as well as my assistant Tammy and another girl I didn’t know.
“Maggie, this is the girl I was telling you about. You can grill Grace to your heart’s desire about hot smokejumpers. She’s becoming the expert.”
I smacked Darlene on the arm, but I was grateful for both the interference with my mood swings and Shannon’s vote of confidence. She was right in that anything could happen at any time in someone’s life.
With the music lively and the crowd getting wilder with every passing minute, I was surprised that within no time, I was enjoying being amongst the crazy crowd and time with friends.
“Is he really hot in bed?” Maggie asked after our first conversation had settled down.
I spit out my wine, which caused the girls to laugh. “Okay, wow.”
“Here, goofy. This is a no-holds-barred table. We spill all the juicy stuff.” Darlene tossed a napkin my way.
“Juicy stuff? Do you mean sex?” Cassie continued teasing. “At least one of us is getting some.”
My cheeks were flaming, likely the color of one of several neon signs advertising a solid good time. “Well,” I managed. “Do you really want to know?”
“Hell, yes!” Cassie held up her glass.
“All I’ll say is that being with him is every girl’s fantasy. He’s hot, hard, and always in the mood.” Maybe it was the fact I was on my second glass of wine, but I even raked my fingers down the side of my neck in a saucy move.
“Oh, God,” Cassie whispered.
“That’s it. There has to be a smokejumper I can steal.” Maggie was adamant, even slamming her palm on the table.
“From what I know, they come in packs of twelve.” Darlene was serious.
“Packs?” I asked.
She shrugged as if I should know what she was talking about. “Like their toned abs?”
The girls squealed and I shook my head, sitting back in my chair and scanning the perimeter. There were people of every age inside the bar, with lots of single men for the girls tochoose from. How fascinating that I didn’t find one of them even remotely good looking.
“There are some hot men here tonight too,” Cassie purred. “In case you’d like more than one for your fantasy.”
Darlene acted as if she was required to come to my defense. “My guess is Viper, and yes, that’s his name, is quite possessive. Right?”
