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I nodded and looked around. Everyone was having a good time. The women were all beautiful, like Harper. My best friend was actually beyond beautiful. She had fiery hair with creamy skin and big gray eyes. I had borrowed a pair of her heels, and a skirt. But she was so much taller, with ungodly long legs, that her “mini skirt” hit just above my knees. Still, all I felt like was the same plain person, only hoisted up another few inches.
I was an idiot to think a few drinks and hours would change the outcome of this past week.
“What am I doing here?” I mumbled.
“Uh-oh, talking to yourself again? I’m standing right here? Shit, I must be losing my edge. Is it the stubble? I’m told some women don’t like it,” the firefighter teased.
I couldn’t help but smile a little. “The stubble is good.”
“Hey,” Harper came over and pulled me close, not caring about the firefighter next to me. “So, who’s your target?”
“Target?” I asked.
“Yeah, the guy you’re going to go for?” After agreeing to come to this party, Harper decided that I should try to “check out my options.” Though I still thought of Jack, it was difficult to convince myself that I would see him again.
“I um…” I glanced at the firefighter, and he just looked at me with a raised brow, curious to hear my answer himself. “I wasn’t going to go for anyone.”
“Yeah, that’s smart,” the firefighter said. “You never know what motives they may have. Like water motives.”
Harper turned and looked at him. “What are you talking about, Callum?”
“Just having a conversation with your friend here about suitable company, that’s all.”
“Uh-huh.”
Harper knew more firemen then I’d thought. And Callum didn’t seem to be her favorite. Which was crazy to me because, between the dimples, navy blues, and easygoing attitude, I was having a hard time not looking at him.
“Callum?” I asked him, verifying his name.
“I like the way you say that.”
Harper rolled her eyes, ignoring Cal’s obvious flirtation with me. Which had me buzzing and a little giddy. “So, who’s it going to be?”
“Ah, hello,” Callum said.
“She can’t handle you, Cal,” Harper whispered to him.
“Excuse me?” I stepped away to look at both of them. “What is that supposed to mean?”
Harper reached out and took my hand. “Nothing bad. Just that you’re kind of shy and recently breaking out of your shell. Which is great, and I’m so happy you came with me tonight, but Cal is—”
“Standing right here,” he interrupted.
“Don’t you have a cat to save from a tree or something?” Harper said.
“I’ve got my sights set on a kitten right now, actually.” He winked at me. “Besides, you’re the one, Harper, who has two of my buddies head over ass for you, and it’s cutting into bro time with their bitching and whining. I don’t think you’re one to dish on who can handle what.” He looked at me, and holy crap, what had I missed? Apparently, there was more going on with this secret crush of Harper’s than I’d thought. A crush that involved two firemen?
With his ocean eyes piercing mine, Cal said, “Don’t support and discredit your friend here. She may be a bit shy, but she’s got claws. I can tell.” Though he spoke to Harper, he kept his gaze on mine.
Now I wasn’t sure if both of them were mildly insulting me, or did Cal just stand up for me? Either way, I was not going to wallow or pout, and I certainly wasn’t going to have my best friend think me weak and shy. I had made a promise to move on, at least in some areas of my life.
“I do have claws, damn it.”
“That a girl,” Cal winked.
I was tired of being walked over. Dismissed. Losing at this game of life.
“Time for the races! Find a partner,” a guy called out.
