Page 22 of Cinder
His posture shifts. “Yeah.”
“For the long term?”
“That’s the plan.”
I nod slowly.
“Well, I’m between jobs at the moment—so I’ve got time. And I’m good with kids.” I hesitate, choosing the next part carefully. “If you needed something short-term while you sort out someone permanent, I could help.”
Colt tilts his head, considering my statement, and Mason’s eyebrows climb halfway to his hairline. The quiet guy looks between us like he’s watching a chess match.
“You don’t know me,” Evan says evenly.
“That’s true.”
“And I don’t know you.”
“Also true… But,” I add, meeting his gaze, “I show up when I say I will. I don’t panic easily. And I take responsibility for children seriously.”
He searches my face for a moment.
“I appreciate it,” he finally says. “But I’ve got it covered.”
A faint, ridiculous pang twists somewhere beneath my ribs, but I cover it quickly with a short nod. “Fair enough.”
Mason looks like he’s about to protest on my behalf, but Evan purposefully ignores him.
Colt drains the rest of his coffee before nodding toward the door. “We should get back.”
They shift toward the door in a loose formation of navy shirts and broad shoulders.
Mason turns and points back at me. “Ginger’s still my favorite.”
“Obviously,” I say through a grin.
The bell chimes as they leave, and I turn back to my cinnamon bun with an exhale, but I’m only half paying attention. My gaze drifts toward the window without meaning to.
They’re halfway down the street now. Mason’s talking with his hands, and Colt bumps shoulders with the quiet one called Ghost.
Evan walks slightly behind them, and he doesn’t look back—not that I expect him to. Still, I watch them until Rose sets a glass of water down beside me.
“Well,” she says mildly. “That was a lively introduction to our local fire department.”
“They’re… enthusiastic,” I say.
“That’s one word for it.”
I take a bite of my bun, chewing thoughtfully.
“He’s careful,” Rose adds after a moment.
“Evan?”
She nods, and I glance toward the street again.
“Yeah,” I murmur, dragging my attention back to her. “I gathered.”
“And he loves his little girl more than anything.”
