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Alex, Jay’s wife, was a beautiful woman with brown eyes, and Lux remembered meeting her on a few occasions at some town events.

“She thinks? She must be psychic.” Lux raised her eyebrows.

“She hopes,” she said. “She’d rather have me home with her, you know.”

“How sad,” Lux said. “She has to put up with your bland jokes for the rest of her life.”

They both laughed.

“You sure have been having a great time yourself,” Jay said. “I can see that look in your eyes.”

Lux chuckled. “You kidding? Love’s not on my agenda, Jay.”

“And fires are?”

“You know it,” Lux said. “Fire is where my real passion lies. Big, wild, aggressive, beautiful fire. That is my true love.”

A flash of movement caught her eye.

A tall and athletic woman who Lux hadn’t seen before stepped off a black truck, her dark hair pulled back in a tight ponytail. She wore the standard-issue navy blue fire department uniform, but an air of authority set her apart from the rest of the crew.

She looked around with the eyes of someone new to the environment, but her head was still held high with confidence.

Lux found herself staring, her breath catching in her throat. The woman’s features were striking: high cheekbones, piercing brown eyes, and mouthful lips that hinted at a hidden sensuality. She moved with a grace that belied the strength in her muscles, her every step radiating confidence.

Lux’s heart hammered in her chest, an unfamiliar flutter of attraction taking hold.

“She’s new,” Jay said, appearing at Lux’s side. “A lieutenant, I think.”

Lux snapped out of her daze. “Not bad. We could do with the addition.”

“You think she’s hot, don’t you?”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she retorted, regaining her composure. “The only thing hot around here is the fires we’re going to fight.”

Jay chuckled. “Oh, come on, Chief. It was written all over your face.”

Lux rolled her eyes. “I was just...observing.”

“Observing, huh?” Jay teased.

Lux shot her a warning glare. “Drop it, Jay.”

Jay held up her hands in surrender. “Alright, alright. I’ll leave you to your...observations.” She sauntered off, leaving Lux to grapple with the unexpected surge of attraction.

Lux glanced in the newcomer’s direction again. But as she turned, the woman suddenly stopped and looked directly at her. Their eyes met, and Lux felt a jolt of electricity shoot throughher. The woman’s gaze was intense and unwavering, and Lux could not look away.

Time seemed to slow down as they held each other’s gazes. Lux’s cheeks flushed, and warmth spread through her body.

The woman’s lips curved into a polite smile. Then, just as quickly as it had begun, the moment was over. She nodded and continued, leaving Lux standing there, her heart pounding.

2

ZOEY

Zoey Knight glanced at her phone. A text message notification flashed on the screen. Dad.

Settled in already?