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“Well, yes, but it’s also getting cats out of trees and kids’ heads out of railings.” I smile.

“And I bet you’re a hero to those mothers and pet owners,” he replies with a small grin.

“I guess.”

“Do you love what you do?” he asks pointedly.

“Yes,” I answer instinctively.

“Then that’s all that matters.” He squeezes my arm in reassurance and oddly enough, it makes me want to put him in for a cuddle.

Christ, what is wrong with me?

I’m not a cuddler.

“I don’t know your family all that well, but they seem to love you very much. Okay, yeah, they might be pissed you didn’t tell them, but I’m sure they just want you to be happy.”

“I really hope so.” I sigh.

His phone pings and he reaches into his back pocket, pulling it free and thumbing the screen to open it.

“Dang, it’s Colin. I should head back. He seems to be having some sort of crisis, but knowing him, it could just mean the frosting has come out the wrong colour. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a sweetheart, but damn he’s wound tight.”

“Do you want me to walk you back?” I ask, oddly reluctant to leave his company.

He grins at me. “You’re really putting a lot of effort into avoiding your family, aren’t you?”

“For as long as I can.” I nod, and he snorts.

“Come on, then. I’m sure we can find something for a hot firefighter to do in the shop. If you’re going to be hiding out, don’t think we won’t put you to work.”

We head back towards the hill and I find that, actually, I’m okay with that.

ChapterFour

Cookie

Colin’s emergency turned out to be the fence around the back of the bakery crashing down. It had only been upright by the grace of god—due to winter storms giving it a good battering, some kids kicking balls at it had finished the job.

Quinn, in his mission to avoid his family and delay a long overdue conversation, had been all too quick to offer his manly services to replace the fence with a new, sturdier one. This has resulted in the sweet torture of a half-naked Quinn all hot, sweaty, and stripped to the waist in a tool belt and tight jeans while he hauls lumber around the very tiny backyard of Colin’s bakery.

Over the course of the last few days of ogling that fine-ass man every spare minute I got, I’m now building up quite the spank bank repertoire. There’s surfer Quinn in very tight Speedos, firefighter Quinn asking me to check his hose for him, and now sexy lumberjack Quinn showing me his tool. Seriously, I haven’t jerked off this much since I was a horny teenager. My dick’s gonna fall off soon.

Damn, that man is hot, like supernova, surface-of-the-sun hot. If I get too close, I’m gonna burn, but I can’t seem to help myself. I’m a sucker for punishment. I glance over at the to-go cup sat beside the cash register and smile at the little pinwheel propped up in it.

Reaching out a finger, I give it a little flick, unable to help the smile on my face as it spins. It’s seriously the cutest gift a guy has ever given me, and Quinn’s not even banging me. In fact, I’m still sure he’s straight. Well, okay, maybe like eighty percent sure he’s straight. I don’t know, there are moments when I catch him looking at me that make me wonder.

The bell on the shop door rings. “Sorry, we’re closing–”

I look up, the words dying on my lips when I see the blue-haired surf girl, Georgie.

“It’s okay.” She smiles easily. “I’m just here to see Quinn. Is he still banging away at Colin’s fence? I don’t know why he said he’d do it, I’ve never so much as seen him swing a hammer.”

“There are probably a lot of things you’ve never seen him do,” I snap defensively. “He’s done a great job. Colin’s really grateful.”

Georgie laughs, oblivious to the daggers I’m shooting her way. “He probably has. Quinn’s doesn’t do a bad job on anything he sets his mind to. He’s always been a bit of an overachiever and perfectionist, come to think of it. I’m just surprised Colin didn’t go flutter his eyelashes in Garrett’s direction. That man would have tripped over himself to get over here and handle Colin’s wood.”

I snort out loud, unable to help myself. Fuck, I really don’t want to like her, not after the way Quinn looked at her and hugged her, which is ridiculous of me, I know. But I have to admit, she’s cool and funny, and if it wasn’t for my stupid unrequited crush on the six-foot wall of handsome currently hammering nails into the decorative trim, Georgie and I would probably already be besties.