“I didn’t think any of the guys I work with were. They are slowly pairing off and showing that it can work even with our crazy jobs.” He paused, and I wondered if he was thinking of wanting to meet someone himself. “If he was a piece of shit, you’re damn right I would say something, but he’s my friend, and I trust him to watch my ass in an emergency. He wouldn’t make the worst brother-in-law.”
“Wow, with that ringing endorsement, sign me up.”
“What? You want me to write him a reference letter?”
Despite everything swirling around in my chest, I laughed again. “Really not necessary.”
“Four stars,” Cliff continued anyway. “Moody, but can grill a decent steak, and move a heavy couch.”
I laughed. “I don’t usually pick my dates based on lifting stats.”
“Your loss…but you know what I mean.”
“Yeah, I do. Thanks, Cliff. I’m not sure if this will go anywhere or not, but it’s good to know where you stand anyway.”
“Take care of yourself, and my furry nephew too.”
The nephew in question stretched beside me and blinked. He would be meowing for breakfast any minute now.
Cliff and I said our goodbyes and I got up for the day.
I hadn’t rented a cabin for this trip so I was staying in the van. I opened the door and a rush of cool morning air seeped in. The sky was an ominous looking shade of gray and the lake waspeaked with waves. Beautiful to look at but not great for tourism pictures.
I set my camp stove on the picnic table and started making coffee. Kyle jumped up next to me and curled around my arm as I worked.
“Your uncle says I can date Aaron if I want,” I told the cat. “But should I? Would he even want to? What if things didn’t work out?”
I sat on the wooden bench as the water started to heat. Kyle bumped his head against my shoulder looking for pets, but offered no further wisdom on the subject. “You’re no help.” I scratched his ears anyway and his purring drowned out the wind on the lake.
Being with Aaron had felt right, but we’d been isolated away from the real world. It would be a risk to try something real. Should I take the chance?
Chapter Fifteen
Aaron
The work week was normal by search and rescue standards. No one was lost that we didn’t find. There were no crazy injuries or helicopter rescues.
Cliff had been pulled away. He was our helicopter pilot and was needed to help with a wildfire burning a few hours drive away.
Without Cliff around, the guys decided I’d become their new entertainment.
We’d just gotten back to the station from a rescue that wasn’t even a rescue. The missing person stumbled into the parking lot before we’d even arrived.
I dropped onto the bench to undo my boots but my phone buzzed in my pocket. It was a social media notification, The Mewtaineer had a new post. I clicked it without hesitation. My screen filled with an image of Kyle sleeping in the dirt in a patch of sunlight.
“You’ve been quiet since you got back from your trip.” I jumped at the sound and looked up to see Jasper leaning against the door frame.
“I’m always quiet.”
He walked further into the room. He was in a t-shirt with all his tattoos on display. He’d be intimidating if you didn’t knowhim. But I knew him and it was clear he was about to bust my chops.
“When I got back from my trip, I was quiet and you guys all razzed me until I admitted I was all torn up over Wren.”
“What does that have to do with me?” I said a little too harshly.
Jasper grinned, looking far too entertained with himself. “Buddy, you were staring at cat photos.”
“I was not staring.”
