Caught in the Flames by Kacey Shea Read Free Book Online Page A

her.
    “Barry. Barry, look at me,” she says again.
    “Ma’am, first responders are two minutes out.” A man who I assume is the store manager says. “Do you know what happened?”
    “He was right beside me. We got in the checkout line and then he just fell.” She shakes her head. I glace down at the man. He doesn’t seem to have sustained any injuries but he is old and maybe he hurt something we can’t see. He’s not responsive but he’s conscious, so that has to be good.
    “Has he ever fainted before? Or fallen?”
    “No. No. Nothing like that. Barry. Barry, why won’t you speak to me?”
    The crowd thins as the medics arrive. Oh, hell! Just my luck. God, I’m glad I did my makeup. I’m a selfish, horrible person because that’s my first thought as Chase and three other firemen stride over to Barry. Chase glances at me and his eyes widen with recognition.
    “He just fell. We don’t know what else,” the manager tells Chase.
    “Barry. Barry, these nice men are here to help you.” I think Barry could be in Disneyland right now and not know it. His gaze is still glassy.
    “Is Barry your husband?” Chase looks up from Barry to the woman still holding my hand as the other firefighters check his vitals.
    “No. He’s my lover.” Well, then . Go Barry.
    “Do you know if he has a history of falls, any pre-existing medical condition?”
    “I’m not sure. We only started dating last month. He has pills at the house but I don’t know what for. Blood pressure maybe?”
    Paramedics roll in an empty stretcher at that moment and take control of Barry’s care. The woman leaves with them. I feel kind of lame now just standing in the middle of the Target checkout line with nothing in my hands as Chase talks to the manager and jots down notes on a clipboard. Probably some report. I should go. Not stand here like an idiot, but I sort of hoped Chase would talk to me. Ugh . Stupid.
    I turn on my heel and walk around the checkout lines to the closest exit. It’s then I realize I parked on the opposite side of the lot, next to the other set of doors. In the spaces near the painted red curbing. The ones behind the fire truck. Super.
    Shades on to hide my humiliation, I trek through the midday heat. The tar from the blacktop shimmers like a mirage and beads of sweat gather on my forehead while others pool down my neck and between my breasts.
    “Callie! Wait up!” Chase’s voice halts my steps and he approaches. His eyes narrow and lips purse in a tight line. Unfriendly. Hard. Shit! Maybe our date didn’t go as well as I thought.
    “Are you okay?” He stops a few feet before me. Am I okay? Is this his way of letting me down? Telling me he had a horrible time? Of not asking me out again? Damn it. I should have put out.
    “I guess so.” I fold my arms across my chest.
    He reaches out to touch my arm. His thumb caresses my skin. “I know it’s a lot to witness someone experience a stroke, even if you don’t know them personally.” Oh.
    That’s what he’s asking. He’s worried about me. He’s so sweet.
    And I’m a jerk because I’m more concerned about a second date with Chase when there’s a man on his way to the ER.
    “Yeah.” I offer weakly. His lips curl into what I guess is his empathetic smile. I attempt to appear somewhat distraught. “I hope he’s okay.” And I do. Barry seems to do well with the ladies despite his age.
    “This may come off really insensitive given the situation, but I need to get back to work, so I was hoping I could get your number?” He glances over his shoulder and gives a nod toward the truck. The engine roars to life. “I feel stupid. I should’ve asked you for it last night. I was having such a good time I completely forgot until I tried to text you when I got home.”
    “You did?” It’s no use. My face fills with a grin and Chase smiles back.
    “Of course I did.” He steps forward, closing the space between us. “I really like you, Callie. Go out with me