Page 42 of Calling a Cease-Fire

ZACK

I itched to close the space between us and pull Mia into my arms. Claim her as mine in front of all of our friends. But I had to respect her wishes. That was why I’d forced myself to walk away from her in the laser tag area. Although, so far, I was an asshole who was doing a shit job of staying away from her to begin with. Why did I find it so fucking hard? She seemed to have this magnetic pull on me. I cursed my impulsiveness when I had to take my time coming out of the game, needing to give myself an extra minute to get myself situated. I didn’t think sporting a hard-on around a bunch of kids would go over well.

If this was a couple of years ago, I would’ve had no issue with pursuing a casual sexual relationship with Mia. But now, I wasn’t so sure. I think, deep down, I knew it wouldn’t be enough. Glancing around at all the couples and kids, it just cemented what I wanted. And I could admit I would want that with Mia.

My gaze stopped on Owen and Cece with their two-year-old daughter, Grace. I remembered when Owen first started at the firehouse. We were all a bunch of single guys. Then he was the first domino to fall. I chuckled under my breath, thinking back on how he knocked up the chief’s daughter and the craziness that followed.

My gaze moved back to Mia, and my body immediately came alive, my fingers aching to touch her. It wasn’t just about the fact that I wanted more than a casual temporary thing with any woman at this point. I knew without a shadow of a doubt it was her that I wanted more with.

I went to take a step toward her, and Adam’s hand darted out. “Let her come to you, man.”

I stiffened. Could I do that? Because so far I hadn’t had any luck.

“I know it’s hard. But give her the chance to realize she actually wants to be with you.”

Maybe that was the problem. Maybe I was afraid that left to her own devices—and whatever thoughts were causing her to continually push back and push me away—she wouldn’t ever come to that realization.

But maybe Adam was right. I needed to rein it in and keep my distance until she showed me she was on the same page I was. Otherwise, I was just another cocky asshole who thought I could change her.

I crossed my arms over my chest and pulled my gaze away, but it didn’t take long before it sought her out once again. I could spend hours watching her. Her beauty. The way she moved. The sound of her voice, her laugh. Everything about her constantly pulled me in.

It wasn’t just a physical attraction, either. It was the strength she exuded. Her quiet observation of everyone around her. The way she jumped in to help anyone who needed it, including the kids. Kids she didn’t even know. Her kindness and patience with them gave me the impression she would be an amazing mother…if she ever allowed herself to embrace that kind of future.

And was I just setting myself up for heartbreak by hoping if she did, it would be with me?

Chapter Seventeen

ZACK

I stared at my phone, wishing Mia would text. It had been almost a week since the birthday party, and I’d been good about stepping back. Not overwhelming her, and limiting anything I sent her. Just a few cat videos. Cats were the most hilarious creatures, and they always made me laugh. I wasn’t quite sure it did the same thing for Mia, but I shared them anyway.

“Jesus Christ,” Logan grumbled, grabbing my attention.

I looked up at him and then glanced around the bar to see what he was bitching about now. He snorted out a laugh, shook his head, and narrowed his eyes, staring at me. In fact, all the guys were looking at me. I brought my beer to my lips, hiding the smirk and wondering what annoying thing I did now.

When I didn’t feed into his attitude, Logan shook his head again. “You got it bad, man.”

I choked on the beer as it went down my throat. That was the last thing I expected him to say. “What?” I croaked.

Adam laughed. “You’ve been frowning at your phone for the last ten minutes. Not texting her is killing you, isn’t it?”

I sighed. “Yes. Is it that obvious?”

A chorus of laughter erupted from the guys.

“Yup.” Jay sat back in his seat, tilting his beer bottle in my direction. “You and Mia are next for the love curse.”

I smiled. Oh, right. The apartment Mia was living in was definitely cursed, or maybe haunted by some type of cupid. The proof was pretty hard to ignore. Owen was the first victim, and then Jay fell prey after he took over the lease. From there, both of Jay’s sisters found love after living in the apartment, and most recently was Lyla. Now that she was living with Adam, it left Mia in the apartment by herself.

“Maybe you need to start praying to whatever is haunting that place.” Owen smirked.

That wasn’t the worst idea I’d ever heard. Could definitely work to my advantage.

Adam’s phone rang and he pulled it out. “Hey, love—” He glanced over at me, a concerned expression on his face, but after a moment, it shifted into something more calculating. “I have an idea. Let me see what I can do, and I’ll call you back.” He hung up and slapped my back. “Well, Zack, someone is looking out for you.”

I raised a brow. “What the hell’s going on?”

“Mia’s mom called her. Got herself in a jam with a boyfriend and is stranded in South Carolina. Lyla’s stuck on shift and Mia’s refusing to call anyone else for help. Says she’ll go alone⁠—”