Page 24 of Calling a Cease-Fire

“You owe me twenty bucks, asshole,” Logan said from the driver’s seat. “I told you I was right.”

Adam rolled his eyes. “Fucker,” he mumbled.

These guys were ridiculous. Honestly, I didn’t think it mattered what I wanted, because I had no illusions it was the same thing that Mia wanted.

We pulled up in front of the firehouse, and I volunteered to get out and stop traffic so Logan could back the rig into the bay. I needed the few minutes to myself to sort through my thoughts.

Maybe Adam was right, and with the right approach, Mia could be open to something deep and real. But I wasn’t convinced. And frankly, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to take the risk of finding out she wasn’t capable.

I sighed. None of this mattered. She hated me. Barely tolerating me for the sake of our friends. Did Adam forget about that?

A horn honked and I jumped, startled out of my thoughts. The guys laughed their asses off as I stepped out of the street and made my way toward the open bay doors.

This was all their fault. Why couldn’t they just give me shit for liking her and move on? No. Instead, they wanted to support me. Give me all these thoughts to stew on. I didn’t like thinking. Or rather, overthinking. It made my brain hurt. So, decision made. We were just going to be frenemies, or whatever you call it. We’d banter and flirt, but not cross any lines.

Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.

Chapter Ten

ZACK

Sitting in the parking lot of the 911 communications center, I checked my watch for the third time as I waited for Mia to appear. Luckily, my shift ended on time, which was a half hour earlier than when her shift ended. She never responded to my last text, which was no surprise. It was pretty on brand for her. It also meant I had no idea if she was planning to meet me or not. But she needed this. So, I wasn’t giving her a chance to bail. Or worse, ending up at another bar, drunk and looking to forget. The thought made my gut clench.

I glanced up as the door swung open and Mia emerged. The blue uniform polo she wore hugged her breasts so perfectly, I was actually jealous of the damn thing. I was parked next to her car, but far enough away from the entrance that she hadn’t spotted me yet. I pushed away from my Jeep, but immediately froze as she turned to talk with some guy who’d exited behind her. He pulled her into a hug, and unconsciously my hands balled into fists at my sides.

Frenemies. Not mine. Get it together, Stoer.

Forcing myself to relax, I leaned back and waited for her to move toward me.

She finished talking and turned, heading my way. Her gaze locked on mine and she raised a brow, stopping a few feet away and crossing her arms. “What are you doing here?”

“Picking you up.” I smirked. “You know, for our date.”

“Never said I was going.” She rolled her eyes and scoffed. “And it’s definitely not a date.”

“Got it.” I lifted my hands in mock surrender. “Not a date.”

She narrowed her eyes. “You’re frustratingly annoying.”

I shrugged. “Want to drive my Jeep?”

She stood up straight, letting her arms drop, and her eyes lit up with excitement. “Really?”

Hmm. My Jeep seemed to be a way in. Noted. I’d hoped it would be after I noticed her admiring it outside the diner the other day.

“If that’ll convince you to try my idea.”

Hesitation swam in her eyes. “What’s in it for you?” She let out a heavy sigh. “Honestly, why do you even care?”

Well, fuck. That was the million-dollar question today, wasn’t it? I grabbed at the back of my neck, stalling. Trying to come up with the perfect Mia-shaped answer. But the truth was, I’d do this for anyone. It was just the type of person I was.

“I’ve been where you are, and I had to figure out how to cope.” My lips twitched as I thought about that first year on the job. My highs, my lows, and my…coping mechanisms. “I had a lot of drunken nights before I found better outlets. And maybe my thing isn’t your thing. But it wouldn’t hurt to try, would it?”

Her shoulders sagged, almost in defeat. Like she was finally, reluctantly, acknowledging she was losing a fight or something. I held back the grin that wanted to break free. Man, she was stubborn.

“Fine.” She stepped forward and held out her hand. “But only if I get to drive your Jeep.”

I passed her the keys and hopped up into the passenger seat. It felt weird. This was a first. I wasn’t sure anyone had ever driven either of my vehicles before. And definitely not with me sitting shotgun. “Need me to put the address in my GPS?”