The Last of The Red Hot Firefighters (Red Hot Reunions Book 1) by Jessie Evans Read Free Book Online

from last night banged out, jogging across the uneven paving stones toward the picnic table with a perkiness that made Naomi’s nose wrinkle. Even in a SFD sweatshirt and jeans, ponytail, and no makeup, Faith was gorgeous, so young and vibrant and humming with energy that Naomi felt shabby and tired in comparison.
    “Hey, boss, what’s up?” Faith asked, not bothering to introduce herself to Naomi or even glance her way. “Can we have take-out family meal today?”
    “Everyone was told to bring their own lunch today,” Jake said. “With the schedules thrown off, family meal is too much hassle.”
    “Oh, come on. Don’t be such a grump.” Faith ribbed Jake’s side with her elbow in the sort of easy gesture that reminded Naomi more of a brother and sister than boyfriend and girlfriend. An observation that pleased her more than it probably should.
    “It won’t be a hassle,” Faith continued. “We’ve got money in the till and I told everyone you and I would grab burritos from the food truck. I’m starving to death, and Kevin’s stomach is growling so loud I can’t hear myself think.”
    “You’re always starving to death,” Jake said.
    The obvious affection in his tone was so polar opposite to the brittle voice he’d used with Naomi that it made her chest tighten. She missed that Jake voice, the one that warmed you all over instead of raising chill bumps on your arms.
    Faith grinned. “That’s because I’m the only one in the department who actually does my entire workout every day instead of skipping cardio.” She nudged Jake again. “So, come on. Let me buy you a burrito.”
    “Thanks, but I already ate.” Jake tugged his cell from his back pocket and glanced at the screen. “And my twenty minutes are up. Make sure you have your pager, and you can run down to the food truck if you want.”
    “I’ve got it,” Faith said, lifting the corner of her sweatshirt to reveal a pager clipped onto her jean pocket. “I’ll run down now. You sure you don’t want anything?”
    “No, I’m good. Have to save room for all the fair food tonight.” He finally turned back to Naomi, the smile that had curved his full lips vanishing without a trace. “So I’ll see you at six?”
    “Six it is,” Naomi said, not inclined to give Jake another chance to wiggle out of their deal. He clearly wanted to honor his obligations, and she was clearly a liar, liar with her pants on fire.
    If this conversation had proved anything, it was that Naomi wasn’t going to be satisfied with peace between her and Jake. She didn’t want peace. She wanted to care about him. She wanted her friend back. She wanted to make him laugh the way she used to, to help him lighten up, and to realize he deserved time to play.
    As she watched him turn and walk back to the firehouse with solid, dutiful steps, she vowed to make it happen. By the end of their month of dates, she would bring some pizzazz into Jake Hansen’s life, or die trying.
    The thought made her smile until Faith turned to her and said—
    “Who the hell do you think you are?”
    —and sent her grin running for cover.
    “Excuse me?” Naomi said, though she’d heard the girl loud and clear. But in her years of working with the often-volatile personalities in the entertainment industry, she’d found that most people didn’t have the guts to repeat an antagonistic remark twice. Given the chance to back down, most people would.
    “I said, who the hell do you think you are?” Faith repeated, proving she wasn’t most people, and that Jake hadn’t cornered the market on loathing Naomi.
    “Do you know what he’s been through?” Faith continued, propping her hands on her hips. “Do you have any freaking idea?”
    “I do, and that’s why I came over to speak with him,” Naomi said in her sweetest voice, hoping it would soothe Faith’s ruffled feathers.
    She didn’t want to get into a feud with anyone in Summerville, especially someone Jake cared about. After