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“Benefits of living downtown.” I shrugged. “I put out the blanket and lawn chair at five a.m.”
Lark leaned down and hugged me. “You are incredible.”
“Where are the guys?” I asked, looking past them, expecting to see Beckett, Duke, or Wyatt coming up behind them.
“They’re running. Can you believe it?” Kate laughed.
Lark shrugged. “Wyatt convinced them it would be a fun thing to do together. He even got a couple of his players to join in.”
“Neither of you wanted to join them?” I asked.
Kate lowered to sit. “No.” She laughed.
“Hellno,” Lark added.
Penny reached for the plastic bag Lark had tucked away in the beach tote. “I’m just here for the candy.” She grinned widely.
Soon the announcer began getting the crowd settled and ready to cheer on the runners of the 5K as they made their way through town.
I smiled, content to be surrounded by my community and the Sullivan women who had become so much more than friends—they had become sisters. My chest squeezed, and my heart ached for the possibility that maybe,just maybe, this could somehow become a reality and not just a summer where Lee and I got tangled up and everything fell apart. Losing them would tear my heart out.
Lark bumped into my shoulder. “Here comes your man.”
My eyes whipped to hers, and she winked. The familiar rush of heat flooded my cheeks. Fighting the morning sun, I shielded my eyes and looked down Main Street. Sure enough, cresting the hill and coming toward us was a group of firefighters dressed in nothing but suspenders and firefighter pants.
Leading the charge and brandishing the American flag over his head was Lee. My heart stuttered. Panting and already sweaty in the sweltering July heat, Lee’s muscles strained with the weight of the flag waving above his head.
The crowd took to their feet, cheering for the brave men and women of the Outtatowner Fire Department. Appreciative whoops and hollers rose from the crowd.
Penny stood to watch them run down Main Street. “Why are they shirtless?”
“Because it’s hot outside,” Lark answered, giving Kate and me a sly smile.
Kate laughed. “It’sreallyhot outside.” Her eyes found Beckett and locked onto him.
My eyes never left Lee’s face as I watched him scan the crowd. When his piercing eyes found me, they stopped, and my heartbeat stopped along with them. A wide grin split his face as he pumped a fist in the air, his muscles straining against the flag.
As he passed, Lee thumped his chest twice and pointed at me. A thousand eyeballs shifted in our direction, but I didn’t care. I bounced on my toes and screamed even louder for him and the rest of the men and women in his unit.
Despite his reputation, Lee was brave and loyal.
Proud.
And I was proud to be associated with him, no matter the terms.
“Holy shit,” Kate whispered next to me.
“You’re lucky my dad’s not around,” Penny teased. She loved when adults cursed, and it irritated Wyatt to no end.
Ignoring her, Kate turned to me with wide eyes. “Lee is in love with you.”
I leaned into her. “Stop. You know it’s not...” The words died on my tongue because I didn’t know what it was anymore, and I didn’t want to lie to one of my best friends. “I don’t know what it is,” I finished.
“Well, I do.” Kate scoffed. “That is the look of a man who is totally gone for you.”
Lark clapped her hands together and sighed. “Oh, I’m so excited for you two!”
Lee and the rest of the firefighters led the 5K, and I watched him disappear around the corner. My face was hot and my insides were mush.
