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Her father nodded, taking another sip. He didn’t press for more, just smiled at her, content with whatever she was willing to share. That was one of the things Lux loved most about her dad—he never pushed, never demanded more than she was ready to give.

“How about you?” Lux asked. “How’s everything here?”

“Oh, you know” He waved a hand absentmindedly. “Same old, same old. I went fishing yesterday and caught a couple nice ones.”

“Yeah? Did you cook them up?”

“Of course,” he said, grinning. “Saved you some for later.”

“Thanks, Dad.” She smiled back at him.

Lux’s phone rang, cutting into their conversation. She recognized Chief Thompson’s number.

“Work calling?” her father asked, his tone light.

“Yeah, Chief Thompson,” Lux said. She knew her father knew Becky well and respected her.

“Already?”

Lux shrugged. “You know how it is, Dad.”

“Well, don’t let me keep you if you need to get going.”

“Yeah,” Lux said. “But I’ll be back soon. Maybe this weekend?”

“I’d like that.” He stood up.

They walked to the front door together, and Lux hugged her father before stepping outside.

“Drive safe.”

“I will,” Lux said, giving him one last smile before heading to her truck.

4

ZOEY

Zoey walked into command ops, her mind still on the conversation she’d had with Lux Valentine earlier in the cafe.

She sat two seats to Lux’s right, and Zoey saw Lux’s beautiful blue eyes darting around. Every once in a while, their eyes would meet. Zoey did her best to keep her face expressionless.

What expression is there to hide anyway?Attraction? Lust?

What was the use in being attracted to someone like Lux Valentine, anyway? Women like Lux—everyone wanted them. She hadn’t missed how Lux had put the charm on her or how her gaze had travelled over her body and lingered.

A gaze meant to seduce. And it had.

But Zoey would never let on that it had. It was pointless being attracted to Lux. Zoey had seen her type a million times. Lux was exactly the type of woman you would do well to avoid.

Their eyes met again. Zoey looked away, her eyes darting in front of her.

Becky Thompson stood at the front of the room, her expression serious as she reviewed some notes while waiting for everyone to settle in.

Zoey nodded at a few of the firefighters she recognized from her first day. She momentarily missed her old team, their faces flashing through her mind unbidden. She shook off the memories, focusing on the present. This was her team now.

Becky cleared her throat, drawing everyone’s attention. The conversations died down, and all eyes turned toward her.

“Alright, let’s get started,” the chief said, her voice calm but firm. She looked around the room, making sure everyone was focused. “Zoey, meet Marcia Foxwell, our chief engineer. Marcia, Lieutenant Zoey Knight.”