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Walking over to me, Harmony reached for my hand, shocking me, and asked, “Shall we?”
Glancing back over at Sharp, I gave him a small grin. “Um…yeah, sure.”
After introducing Harmony to the rest of the guys, I showed her where we slept, ate, and hung out between calls. I attempted to avoid Captain Ryan’s office, but he had glanced up and saw me showing Harmony around. I knew it wouldn’t be long before he came out. Sharp had told me that the captain had visited Harmony in the hospital. I was sure he would remember her.
“Wow, Preston. Your family must be pretty proud of you.”
Pulling my head back, I looked at her. “For what?”
Letting out a titter, she looked around as she pointed. “For this. Your job. I mean, you risk your life to save others. I can’t even begin to wonder how your poor mother did it with her husband and now you.”
“My brother Finn is a firefighter as well. So she not only has to worry about me, she has to worry about him as well.”
Harmony’s eyes widened in horror. “And your other brother? What does he do? Nothing dangerous, I hope, for your mother’s sake.”
Scrunching up my face, I said, “Wes is a banker in New York City. Dresses in suits every day, and expensive shoes. I’m positive one of his suits costs more than what I make in a year.”
Laughing, Harmony gave me a gentle push. “What about your sister? You mentioned she was younger. What does she do?”
“Angie’s a senior in high school.”
“Oh wow. Do you mind if I ask how old you are, Preston?” The way Harmony was chewing on her lower lip had my stomach going all kinds of crazy.
“He’s twenty-three. One of the best firefighters I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside. Well, since his daddy, that is.”
Closing my eyes, I held my breath and turned to see my captain standing in front of me. “Hey there, Cap. This is a friend of mine, Harmony Banks. She wanted to see where I worked.”
Reaching her hand out, Harmony spoke first. “Captain Ryan, it’s a pleasure seeing you again.”
My eyes snapped to Harmony and then to the floor. Harmony and the cap talked for a few minutes while I stood there and tried to calm my beating heart. The cap had warned me to stay away from Harmony and here I was not only with her, but showing her where I worked.
“Harmony, do you mind if I speak with Ward—I mean Preston—for a minute?”
My mouth went dry and I had an overwhelming urge to flee.
“No, not at all. Should I just wait here?”
“Yes!” I said, almost in a panic. If she stayed there, I could keep my eye on her and would know if Sharp tried to talk to her. “Um, just have a seat and I’ll be right back.”
Reaching for the cap’s hand again, Harmony shook it and said, “It was nice seeing you again.”
“It was my pleasure, Harmony.” Cap turned and walked toward his office as I followed. Glancing over my shoulder, I smiled when I saw Harmony watching us walk away.
“Shut the door, Ward, and have a seat.”
Fuck.
Doing as he asked, I sat down and held my breath, waiting for the unexpected.
Cap sat and leaned back in his chair. He rested his elbows on the arms of the chair and tented his fingers under his chin. “Want to tell me what you’re doing, son?”
Sitting up straight, I gave him a confused look. “What do you mean, Cap?”
Glancing over my shoulder at Harmony, he looked back at me and straight into my eyes.
“Preston, you’ll never be able to ease her pain. The loss of her child was not your fault and by becoming her friend you’re not making it easier on either one of you.”
Anger built up in my veins as I gripped the armrests. “I’m not being her friend out of sympathy. I enjoy her company and it has nothing to do with her son. I know, Cap, it wasn’t my fault. I’ve moved on from it.”
Raising his eyebrows, he said, “Have you? Why are you always taking off, Preston? You’re damn near out of vacation time and you never took vacation before that accident. Ever.”
Shrugging my shoulders, I looked into his eyes. “I’m over it, sir. I’m fine.”
Nodding, he looked at his desk and said, “I’m going to ask you one question. And this is not me being your boss asking it. It’s me, a longtime family friend asking. Do you have feelings for her?”
There was one thing I would never do, and that was lie to the man sitting across from me. “Honestly, sir, I’m not sure. I’ve been having some confusing thoughts going through my mind. I keep telling myself we’re just friends. That’s all we are…friends…just friends. I enjoy her company and I think she enjoys mine. I mean, is that so bad?”
