Page 5 of Never Forget
"I appreciate that, sir," I said carefully. "I really do. But I like being a firefighter. I can't really see myself doing anything else."
Richard nodded slowly, like he'd expected this answer. "I understand. It's a noble profession. Dangerous, but noble." He picked up his glass again. "Just think about it. That's all I'm asking. The offer stands whenever you're ready."
Before I could respond, a voice called from the doorway.
"Richard! There you are. I've been looking all over."
Deputy Chief Graff stepped into the study, hand extended. Richard shook it warmly.
"Henry. Glad you could make it."
"Wouldn't miss it." Graff's eyes landed on me and his face shifted into recognition. "Sam Reeves. Good to see you outside the station."
"Chief."
"Richard, you know this young man is one of the best new firefighters we've got. Station 33's lucky to have him."
Richard chuckled. "You wouldn't mind if I steal my future son-in-law from the department, would you? Work ethic like his, he'd do well in business. I'm sure of it."
Future son-in-law. The words landed like stones in my chest.
Graff laughed. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't poach any of my boys, Richard. But if that's what Sam wants..." He turned to me. "I'd be happy to write you a recommendation letter myself. Just say the word."
"I appreciate that, sir," I said. "But I'm happy where I am."
Graff clapped my shoulder. "Good man. We need more like you."
The two of them drifted into conversation about something else. Golf, maybe. City council. I wasn't listening. I was thinking about the phrase "future son-in-law" and how I needed to end this before I got pulled any deeper.
I excused myself and went to find Amber.
She was by the bar now, champagne glass in hand, talking to someone I couldn't quite see from this angle. I started towardher, rehearsing the words in my head.Amber, we need to talk. This isn't working. We want different things.
Then I saw who she was talking to. I stopped mid-stride.
Blonde hair. Blue eyes. A disarming smile that made everyone around him feel like they were basking in something golden. He looked older than the last time I'd seen him, but not too different. Some people carried their high school selves with them forever.
Bryce Montgomery.
Amber spotted me and waved. "Sam! There you are!"
I forced my feet to move.
"Sam Reeves!" Bryce's face broke into a genuine grin.
Amber looked between us. "Wait, you know each other?"
"We played football together in high school," Bryce said. "I was a senior, Sam was a junior. He played well. Really well." He grinned at me. "I always wondered what happened to you."
"Firefighter," I said. "Station 33."
"That's great, man. Really great." Bryce clapped my shoulder. "I can't believe you're dating my cousin."
Cousin.
Of course. Of course Bryce Montgomery was Amber Henderson's cousin. Of course this family, this world, this trap I'd walked into included the one person in Havensworth I couldn't stand to be around.
Jamie's face flashed through my mind. The way she'd looked when she left Havensworth. The way she never came back for more than a few days at a time.
