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Braden
Me: Okay. Sounds good. Thanks.
I send the reply to my brother, who texted to let me know he has everything covered at The Pit.
About a year ago, my dad had a minor heart attack. While he’s doing fine now and getting plenty of monitoring to make sure he stays healthy, we all sat down as a family and decided it was best for him to step back at The Pit. He still oversees the financials and some big decisions and will continue to be the pitmaster for big events. Otherwise, he’s mostly retired. Which is a good thing. He needed the break. My parents needed to figure out their lives outside of the restaurant—they’ve been traveling, spending time together, and doting on Harper nonstop.
What was more surprising was how it affected Brent. He and my dad made their amends years ago—though they still push each other’s buttons at times—but Brent still took our dad’s heart attack hard. He realized he wanted more connection to our dad and family in general, so he stepped up to help me run The Pit. He’s a part-time director for a local nature center, and he works part time with me at The Pit. It works well that way, because I don’t have to make the place my whole life. I can be around for moments like this.
My phone vibrates again. Expecting a text from Brent, I unlock my screen. But what I see shocks me.
It’s from her.Blind date girl.Firecracker. Holy shit. Nine years. Nine fucking years since I’ve talked to her. And today she texts me? The day when I meet someone who actually makes me feel the way she did? How is this possible? What the fuck, universe?
But I can’t ignore it. I’ve thought of this girl way too frequently since we stopped talking. Multiple times I considered asking Leigh for her name or trying to get in touch with her, but since she was the one who wanted the clean break and the distance in the first place, I was always hesitant. I hoped she would reach out to me.
And now she is.
My stomach knots as I open the message.
Firecracker: Braden?
My mouth slides open. What the hell? How does she know my name?
I glance over at Leigh, wondering if she could’ve told her. But she hasn’t been giving me any troublemaking smirks or making any strange comments, so I’d doubt it.
Only one way to find out.
Me: How do you know my name?
Firecracker: You told me a half hour ago.
My eyes widen as I gape at my phone.No. No fucking way. Blind date girl. Firecracker—my Firecracker—is Hollie?
I close my eyes and try to remember the way her laugh sounded over the phone, the playful lilt in her voice. When I really think about it, I can hear the similarities. Her voice is softer now, even smoother. There’s a slight difference in her accent too. More midwestern now. Probably from living in Ohio.
Again,holy shit.Is this actually happening? Why have I not texted her back?
Me: Hollie?
Firecracker: Mmhm.
Me: Where are you?
Firecracker: Head toward the NICU. Take the first hallway on the right. I’m all the way at the end by the big window.
I jump out of my seat as everyone in the waiting room turns to stare at me.
“Are you okay?” Nick asks.
“Yep. Just… need to use the bathroom,” I say, bolting down the hall.
“It’s the other way,” he calls after me. But I ignore him.
Nine fucking years, and she’s back in my life. Hell, I’ve finallymether. Even if I didn’t know it. And she kissed me. She knew. She—
I turn down the hallway and see her.
I’m jogging now, wanting nothing more than to have her in my arms.
