Page 16 of A Baby for the Firefighter

Should I call Dean? Shouldn't I?

Oh for fuck's sake, just do it.

Before I could change my mind again, I scrolled through the contact list and hitcallon Dean's name.

He answered the phone almost immediately—way before I could decide to hang up again.

“Griff?”

“Yeah, hi, it's me.”

“What's up?”

“I just uh... kind of wanted to apologize.”

“What do you have to apologize for?” Dean asked, and I wasn't sure exactly what to say.

“Just the way I behaved Saturday,” I said eventually. “I know I wasn't being super friendly.”

“I did wonder about that,” Dean admitted. “But thought maybe I'd imagined it.”

“No, you didn't. I'm sorry. I wasn't... feeling well.” Or, in fact, feeling a little too well when looking at his wet and half-naked body.

“It's okay. I hope you're feeling better.”

“Yeah, I am. Thank you.” I exhaled, so relieved to be done with this part of the conversation.

“You should know Conner has a play date with Jake this week.”

“Really?” That news made me smile. “That's good.”

“Yeah. My cousin seems really happy about it too. He's doing better recently. Maybe a little too well.” Dean laughed, making me wonder what he was talking about.

“How do you mean?”

“He's decided to put himself out there again.”

“That's good.” A huge step forward for Shane.

“Yeah, but he wants me to help him, so he's making me go on a double date with him.”

That... wasn't so good. Dean was going on a date? With who?

Not that it really mattered, because whoever they were, they weren'tme.And that was the crux, wasn't it? Even if I didn't want to admit it, I hated the thought of Dean going on a date with someone who wasn't me. Which was, of course, utterly selfish of me, because I wasn't going to date him either.

“Griff?” Dean asked, and I realized that I hadn't spoken in too long. “Do you have a problem with me going on a date?” His tone turned quite serious, like he would cancel that date if I just said so.

But I couldn't ask that of him, could I?

Shit.

“No,” I said, hoping my voice didn't sound as upset as I felt. Damn it, I always knew this was going to happen sooner or later. Dean was too handsome to stay single forever. “Why would I have a problem?” I forced a laugh even though my heart ached. “You should enjoy yourself. When is this date?”

“Saturday.”

Saturday... Okay, I needed to put a big bottle of wine on my Saturday shopping list. Or maybe something stronger.

7