Page 6 of Bewitching the Firefighter

However, when we get close enough, I see Lincoln West talking with a Super Mario family. Zane’s friend walks over and swirls the boys in the air. Capri grabs my hand and practically drags me directly in front of Lincoln West.

“Can my boys see the fire engine?” Her voice is sweet, but I know she has ulterior motives.

“Absolutely. Good to see you, Capri.”

“You as well.” She motions to the Wicked Witch, whose brown eyes are shining in the carnival lights underneath a black, pointy hat. “Lincoln, have you met my cousin Isla?”

The firefighter holds out his hand, his amber eyes traveling down my body as if he can’t help himself. “Good to see you again, Isla.” The corner of his lips tips up slightly, making my insides feel rubbery.

“Nice to see you, Lincoln.” My words are clipped, hopefully sending the message that I’m not interested.

My cousin looks at me and then Lincoln, her eyes darting back and forth in curiosity. Without a word, she joins her children at the fire engine, where her friend is standing. A group of Minecraft characters run by, looking to be about Maddie’s age, and I focus on them instead of the hot man in front of me. He has to be at least a foot taller than me.

“So, Isla, would you like to get a cup of coffee sometime? There’s a little coffee shop near the university that has a great variety of options.”

I’m a little taken aback by his straightforwardness. “You don’t even know me.” I feel bad about being so blunt, but I can’t roll the words back in my mouth.

He chuckles, running a hand along his jaw. “I think that’s the point of coffee.”

The cool ease with which he stands, those muscular draped by his sides, a half smirk on his face hits me the wrong way. So I crane my neck and stand as tall as I can, all 5’2” of me.

“I don’t have ‘coffee’ with people I don’t know.” I use finger quotes when I emphasize the word.

His brows furrow, and his head pops back, his smirk changing to incredulity.

“Our circles overlap. We’re bound to see each other. All the more reason for us not to have ‘coffee.’” I bring out the finger quotes again. I know what he wants, and I am not interested. Been there, done that.

Lincoln studies me, eyes smoldering. Then he leans forward, his mouth barely brushing my ear. “When we have ‘coffee,’ Little Bit, it will be the best cup you’ve ever had.”

My jaw falls open, and a tiny noise escapes before I can stop it. Then I come to my senses. “Do not call me a Little Bit.”

He cocks his head. “I think it suits you just fine.”

I squint. “I’m not sure what your game is, Pretty Boy, but this,” I point between us, “is never going to happen. So you might as well go sniff around some other playground because this one’s closed.”

I head to my cousin, a little flustered, though I refuse to think about why that is.

The next hour passes with trick or treating, a game of ring toss, a game of balloon bust, and a snack of deep-fried Oreos. After the snack, I hold the baby while Capri and Zane take the other kids to ride bumper cars. As I watch my cousins from afar, I bend down and kiss her sweet head. She’s fallen asleep in the chest carrier, her sweet lavender scent the best thing ever.

Of course, I can see the fire engine from where I stand. Lincoln is showing a group of children the gadgets on the engine’s pump panel. He’s relaxed and has a genuine smile on his face while explaining the knobs and dials to the group. It’s a completely different demeanor than either time I’ve seen him, and darn it if my back-stabbing hormones don’t do a little cheer at seeing him.

I turn away because I’m just not interested in dating a player, not even casually. The last bad boy I dated lived up to his reputation in every way, and it was rough when I found out about it. I understand that exclusivity isn’t for everyone; there’s no shame in that. But this guy touted monogamy as if it were the only way to be with a woman. I’m grateful that his dating app sent a string of notifications to his lock screen because otherwise, I wouldn’t have known he was sleeping around.

When Capri and her family exit the bumper boats, Zane takes baby Isabelle. We decide to do one more set of carnival games and then leave since trick or treating has ended. As we approach the Skee-Ball booth, a gust of wind catches my black hat and blows it off my head.

“I’ll be back,” I toss over my shoulder as I run after it. Capri nods as the kids give their tickets to the attendant.

I’m several booths away when a brawny firefighter scoops up my hat. He turns, his eyes scanning the crowd and landing right on me.

“If I didn’t know better, I would think you’re into me.” His eyes are sparkling with mirth, and I can’t help it.

I laugh. “You are ridiculous.”

Lincoln steps forward, my hat dangling by his side, so I take several steps back. Suddenly, my back hits the solid wood of the carnival booth, and I realize we’re now behind it facing the parking lot.

“I like your laugh, Little Bit.”

I clear my throat. “May I have my hat, please?”