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A smile stole across her face. “You can call me Charlie.”

He thumbed over his shoulder, matching her smile. “Ash told me you’d be coming. He’s upstairs.”

“Thanks…” she drawled, her voice expectant as she waited for him to introduce himself.

“You can call me Blaze.”

She cocked her head.

“It’s a nickname.”

“I figured as much.” She pointed to the stairway, and he nodded. “It’s nice to meet you, Blaze.” With each step she took, the smell of the food got stronger. By the time she’d crested the top, she realized why.

Ash hadn’t simply ordered food for them to share in their small firehouse kitchen; he’d cooked it.

Charlie gasped and moved with quick steps toward him. Ash’s back was to her, his focus on whatever he was finishing up at the counter. She tapped her finger on his back, not sure if it was appropriate to give him a hug at the fire station. “Hello, handsome.”

He jumped, and then his shoulders relaxed. “There you are,” he said.

All her concerns melted away when she was with him. He made her feel safe despite the fact that he had a job she hated.

Ash turned to face her. Then he smiled and reached for her hands to hold them. She leaned forward and kissed him with her whole heart. When she pulled back, she tilted her head. “I missed you today.”

He chuckled, dragging his knuckles along her jawline. “Not any more than I missed you.”

She shivered from his touch, and he bestowed one more kiss to her lips. “I’m never going to get used to that,” she whispered.

“Good. Because I’m never going to stop.”

She kissed him back, reveling in this moment just like she had the rest. Then she glanced around them at the small table that had been covered with food. There was a salad, some rolls, and a steak with steamed vegetables and a baked potato. It looked and smelled mouthwatering.

“It’s… not what you’ve been teaching me… but it’s what I do best.”

Charlie smirked at him. She could hear just how nervous he was, and she wanted to throw her arms around him and tell him that this meant the world to her—that he’d fixed her something special.

“Idid…” he started, then chuckled. “I used some of the information I’ve learned from you—when it came to the rolls and how to cook the vegetables. I hope it will taste as good as it smells.”

She placed a hand to his cheek. “It’s perfect. I’m sure of it.”

He moved to the table and pulled out her chair. Then he returned to the counter to retrieve their drinks. Ash placed a tall glass of lemonade before her, then took his seat.

Candles flickered on the table—something she hadn’t immediately noticed. The whole setup was the most romantic thing anyone had ever done for her. Sitting on the edge of the chair, she stared at him, realizing just how much she loved him. Part of her had wanted to bring up his job—what with the lack of rain lately. But she didn’t want to spoil their date.

Ash had pulled this whole thing together, and she was going to enjoy every last second of it.

He reached for her hand and grasped it tightly. “I love you, Charlie. I want you to know that.”

She blinked. While she knew she loved him, and she’d figured he felt the same, this was the first time he’d said it so pointedly. “I love you, too,” she rasped. “I think I’ve loved you since that night in the rain.”

He smiled. “Me too.” Ash shifted in his seat and settled back against it. “When I look to the future, I can’t see anyone but you.”

Nothing could have made this night more perfect than it was right now.

This time he leaned forward, his expression serious. “I’ve waited for you this long, and I’ll wait as long as you might need. But I plan on marrying you.”

She sucked in sharply. It was a confession that should have scared her. She hadn’t even dated anyone seriously before to think about marriage.

And yet all she could feel was a solid warmth that caressed her, protected her.Yes, it seemed to say. She could see him in her future as well. Charlie leaned forward and touched his face, placing her palm to his cheek. “I’m looking forward to it.”