Page 76 of Slow Burn

“The real question is why are firefighters so afraid of relationships?” Sophie sounded grumpy this time as she gazed off after she asked the question.

Roman sat up. “We aren’t afraid, but there is a lot on the line to consider.”

“But that’s a crappy excuse,” Georgia finally interjected. “Every single decision we make could put us in a dangerous or unsafe situation. Just because you have a job with a disjointed schedule and there are risks aligned with fighting fires doesn’t mean you skip out on having a partner.”

Roman stood and walked over to the window, looking outside. “None of us wants to skip out on a partner.”

Sophie snorted.

But Roman continued, “Not even Elijah.”

“So it’s me,” Georgia whispered, the world crashing down around her.

“No.” Anna glared at Roman. “It’s not you. It’s Elijah.”

Roman turned back around to look at Georgia. “Anna’s right. It’s not you. This has to do with Elijah thinking you deserve more than what he can offer you.”

Georgia was sure this was part of it, but she was also certain Elijah had issues with commitment because of what happened to Miles. But that wasn’t her story to share, so she kept her mouth shut.

“I have an idea. Why don’t we push him into realizing what he’s lost?” Roman offered up a plan.

Anna wiggled on the couch. “What do you mean?”

Covering her face with a pillow, Georgia groaned.

“Why don’t I take you on a few dates?”

“What!” Anna’s voice cracked in shock.

“Elijah will hear about it, and it will drive him crazy. Maybe this is the push he needs?”

Georgia threw the pillow. “No. I don’t want to play games anymore. Elijah either wants me, or he doesn’t. We haven’t talked in two weeks, and I refuse to manipulate him into making a decision.”

“You want to date?” Anna seemed stuck on Roman’s readiness to go out with someone, even if it was just to push Elijah.

Sophie got off the chair. “Well, this has turned into a fun time.”

“Want to watch a movie or something?” Anna asked, as if it would salvage the night.

Her three friends discussed what movie to put on, but Georgia was ready to go home. Being heartbroken over someone was exhausting, and she wanted to go to sleep.

It was another night with Elijah haunting her dreams.

HAVING A SLOW night at the station was like waiting for the other shoe to drop.

“You should have come out with us last night.” Nash interrupted Elijah from the online paperwork he was reviewing. His friend sat in the chair opposite his desk. “Benny and I went out. He left with some redhead, and I met this hot-as-fuck tourist who was visiting the Amor winery.”

That sounded like the exact opposite of what he wanted.

Some random woman would never compare to Georgia.

“I went back to her hotel, and we fucked. She had a friend who was staying at the same hotel. I kind of wished I would have seen if she could have joined us.” Nash looked awfully pleased with himself.

Elijah tore his eyes away from his computer. “Doesn’t that bore you?”

Nash raised his eyebrows in disbelief. “Does a fucking threesome bore me? Not yet, and I hope it never does.”

Elijah didn’t respond. While his sex life wasn’t as prolific as Nash’s, he still had his fair share of partners. And fuck it, he was over it.