Page 65 of Yours Truly, Fall

Two fingers slide under my jaw and tilt my chin up just so he can lean down and kiss me. At the firehouse. In public. For anyone, including Chantilly, to see.

I wrap my arms around him and deepen the kiss. Not for anyone else, only for me, my tongue twisting with his while his hands roam my back. It’s the applause that has us slowly releasing and turning to look back in Chantilly’s direction, where she and three firefighters are clapping for us.

Tony cheers, saying, “It’s about time our boy became a man.”

Brandon shakes his head but takes the good-natured ribbing in stride. Waving them off, he looks back at me and takes my hand. “What are you doing this afternoon?”

“This is it. This was the plan.”

As the others disperse and Chantilly tags along with Tucker, chatting his ear off, Brandon leans down and kisses me again. “I want to go somewhere with you.”

We start walking. “Unless it involves a hazardous dirt road and views for miles, I’m not interested.”

“You’re in luck.” He chuckles. “I know just the place.”

Seven days later . . .

Clasping her hands together on top of the table between us, the short-haired attorney taps twice. “We’ve done an extensive rereview of your case, Nurse Season.” She glances at the file in front of her and back to me. I wasn’t feeling confident in the second report I filed with HR, given that the first report had been ignored. The sigh says so much, so I brace myself for the same result. “We feel an initial error in judgment was made, resulting in a negative outcome not only affecting your duties but missed opportunities for a pay raise as well.”

Missed opportunities . . .

Grave error . . .

Negative outcome . . .

“We will be putting Dr. Ludlow on leave while we continue our investigation.”

“I don’t understand. What changed?”

“Another employee filed a report that matched yours, but more specifically, I was hired. And I can’t stand when doctors take advantage of their staff.”

“I hate that it took someone else being threatened to get to this conclusion, but I appreciate the decision.” I stand to shake her hand. Although I should shake the hand of the HR supervisor, who is sitting in, I’m not ready to let them off the hook. They knew and did nothing to protect their employees. It makes me glad I took a stand. “When you say missed opportunities for a pay raise…?”

“That means you’ll be receiving two raises that you would have earned in that time period.”

“And the shifts and files?”

“You have your seniority back. You make the schedule.”

“If I make the schedule, I want an office assistant hired. I can’t spare anyone on the nursing team to do busywork.”

When the HR lady looks at me, I say, “Make sure to let Mrs. Carson know I won in the end, and I got Brandon. Gossip about that.”

I spin the lucky bluebird between my fingers in my pocket, walking out knowing exactly who I want to tell first.

CHAPTER 28

AUTUMN

Two weeks later . . .

On my knees in front of him, I try again. “I need a better angle.”

Running his hands through my hair, Brandon says, “Just do the best you can.”

I hop off the bed and get to my feet. Tightening his tie, I pat his chest. “There. You’re good to go.” I take a step back to appreciate how straight the tie is, but I admire him more. “I’m proud of you.”

Stretching across the divide, he pulls me to him by the waist. “All in a day’s work.”