Page 65 of All It Takes

I looked over at Hayes. He had rumpled, almost black curls paired with deep green eyes. And, of course, he was a hotshot firefighter, so he was seriously fit. I glanced back over at Farrah again. “Considering that he would look great in a firefighter calendar, he gives a good view, but you don’t look at anybody else like that.”

She tended to be unflappable, but her cheeks tinged pink. I nudged her with my elbow, teasing, “You can have the hots for Hayes.”

“Shut up,” she grumbled.

The following morning, we went for coffee and brunch at Firehouse Café. Janet arrived at our table, resting her hand on Ross’s shoulder and squeezing gently. “Good morning. What would you like for breakfast?”

She flipped her braid on her shoulder as he peered up at her. “You know my favorite.”

“Biscuits and gravy?” she prompted.

“Extra gravy,” he replied with a grin.

Her gaze arced from Wes to me. “And you two?”

“I’ll take the same,” Wes chimed in.

I added, “Same.”

I took a swallow of my coffee.

“That makes it easy,” Janet replied. “You’re all moved in?”

“Well, everything is moved, but now I have to organize it.”

“At least it’s all in one place.” She glanced at her watch. “Your food will be out in about fifteen minutes.” She glanced over her shoulder at the line, her gaze arcing around the busy café and back to us. “Usually, it’s quicker, but we’re busy.”

“No worries,” Wes offered. “We like it here.”

Janet smiled at him. “You ready for fire season?”

“I’d better be because I’ll be heading out soon.”

“Now you’ve got Tiffany to hold down the fort at home.”

“And me,” Ross chimed in.

She ruffled his hair and hurried off. Wes squeezed my knee under the table as Ross lifted his phone and started playing a game on it. When my eyes lifted to his, Wes mouthed, “I love you.”

I leaned over and dropped a kiss on his shoulder. Ross happened to look up just then and rolled his eyes.

A little while later, Wes was driving, and Ross was in the back with Nilla, who had gotten one of Janet’s dog biscuits for breakfast. We were headed to the beach for a walk.

I still can’t believe this is my life sometimes.I didn’t realize I’d said that out loud.

Wes reached across the console, lacing his fingers through mine and squeezing. “Believe it.”