Page 17 of Wrong Number, Right Grumpy Firefighter

“That seems unfair.”

“Please?” I plead.

“Fine. What?”

“You will never refer to this,” I say, motioning between us, “as a mistake.”

Heather rolls her eyes. “Don’t you get it, Dean? It was never a mistake. I was scared, so I ran.”

“So promise me you won’t run.”

“Why would I run?”

“Because I’m going to tell you I’m in love with you, and that might be a little scary considering we’ve been together two days.”

“We can call it three,” she says, reaching her hand to my chest. “You did let me sleep in your bed, after all.”

“That couch sucks,” I agree.

“We should get rid of it. Hey, I have an idea for Nana’s next party. A couch burning! Is that legal?”

“I’ll help her get the permit.”

“And then we’ll get a new couch?”

“We’ll get a whole new house if that’s what you want.”

“As long as I have you—and Aries—I don’t care where we live. Because you know what?”

“What?”

“As scary as it is, I love you too. I think I’ve always loved you.”

I cup her cheek, drawing her in for a long, deep kiss. This time, she doesn’t pull away or panic. She sinks against me, fisting her hand in my shirt and parting her lips for me.

“Think Nana will kick us out of the party if I feel her granddaughter up in her garage?” I ask.

Heather smiles. “Only one way to find out.”

EPILOGUE

HEATHER

“Where are we going?”I ask Dean as he takes left turn instead of a right. “Nana’s house is that way.”

“I know where it is,” Dean says, looking over at me with that casual smile he wears so often now. Had I not witnessed it on the daily these past few months, I wouldn’t have believed it possible. Though he’s still plenty grumpy—which secretly turns me on—he seems happier than I’ve ever known him to be.

“As fun as a detour sounds right now, we can’t be late toyourcouch burning party.”

“This won’t take long,” he says, laughing when I shoot him an annoyed glare. At a stop sign, he looks over and asks, “Do you trust me?”

“Dumb question.”

“That’s not an answer, sweetheart.”

“Of course I trust you.”

He reaches his hand across the center console, flattening it against my thigh. “I’ll get us to the party with time to spare.”