Page 19

“Right,” he says in his normal voice. “The door will close for now, but you should probably keep it locked and just go out your patio door if you have to leave at all. Does your fence have a gate you can go through?”

I nod.

“Good. I’ll be back after my shift in the morning.”

“Oh, no. There’s no rush.”

“Rumi,” he says, his green eyes fixed on me. “I’m not leaving you, your daughter, or your friend with a faulty door for longer than I have to. I’ll be back in the morning.”

He heads for the door, walking past me, and I watch as he brings his hand to one of Evee’s legs, lightly grazing his finger over her little foot covered by the onesie pajamas Ava put her in, and I honestly think I could melt into a puddle right then and there.

“It’ll be too early for cookies,” he adds over his shoulder, “so we’ll have to save that for another time.”

“You really don’t have to do all this,” I tell him, causing him to turn around. He leans on the wall next to him, crossing his arms over his chest, the muscles rippling with the movement causing his Northshore Fire Department T-shirt to tighten around those biceps I’ll be dreaming about tonight.

“But I want to,” he answers, as if it’s the simplest answer in the world.

I try not to show how his answer catches me off guard, and if he notices, he doesn’t let on. “Then, I’ll see you tomorrow, firefighter.”

Jack’s eyes slightly widen, and there’s a new look to them, one I haven’t seen before. His eyes have reminded me of a forest since the first time I saw them, but right now, it’s like that forest was set ablaze.

“Looking forward to it,” he says, turning to head toward the front of the house.

I follow a few steps behind him, watching as he bends to grab a few metal pieces on the floor before he picks up the door as if it weighs absolutely nothing.

He puts it back where it’s supposed to go, matching up the hinges and stepping outside, holding it up with one arm.

“I’m going to pull this close, and I want you to lock it right behind me. Got it?”

“Got it,” I reply, some unease beginning to trickle in. “Um, Jack?” I ask.

His head immediately turns toward me. “Yeah?”

“Can someone really easily break down the door?” I try to keep my voice even.

“Do you have a lock on your bedroom door?”

I nod.

“Good. Make sure it’s locked. I’m gonna put the hinge pins I found back in which will secure it a little bit more for now. Where’s your phone?”

I gather Evee’s weight in one arm, reaching into the pocket of my sweatpants to grab my phone, holding it up to show him.

“May I?” he asks, and the politeness of him will never not be a stark contrast to his brooding, overwhelming presence.

I unlock my phone, handing it over to him. I watch as he types a number in, calling it, and hanging it up before handing it back to me.

“I want you to call me if you hear anything. I don’t care what time it is. You hear something, you call me. Understand?”

My lips part, and I wouldn’t be surprised if my eyes looked like they were about to pop out of my head. The concern in his eyes mixed with the authority in his voice makes my throat go dry.

“Rumi?” The way he says my name with a small smirk on his face, brings me back.

“Y-yes,” I manage to stutter out.

“Atta girl,” he praises, bringing a finger just under my jaw, closing my mouth for me—because I’m incapable at the moment.

His eyes have a sparkle to them that brightens when he glances at Evee, his smirk deepening slightly.

“I’ll see you two tomorrow with your new door.

” He breaks his gaze from us, maneuvering the door until it shuts.

The moment it closes, an exhale escapes me, and I feel dizzy.

But not in a bad way.

I turn around, leaning back on the door to get my bearings.

What the hell is happening to me?

It feels like I was just dropped off at home after a first date.

And why does that thought not scare as much as it should?

There’s a quiet knock next to my ear that startles me out of my thoughts, and I feel my phone vibrate in my hand. Looking down, I see an unknown number, but I have a feeling I know who it is.

“Forget something, firefighter?” Maybe it’s the door between us and the fact I can’t feel his eyes locked on mine, but there’s a confidence brewing inside of me—one I felt last night at Lennys; one I don’t want to let go of.

“I’m not leaving until you lock the door.” Jack’s voice is low and gruff in my ear, causing goosebumps to pebble on my skin.

A giggle escapes me, and I’m thankful he can’t see the embarrassingly big grin on my face. Still balancing Evee against me and holding my phone between my ear and my shoulder, I turn toward the door, locking the doorknob and deadbolt.

“Thank you,” I say into the phone, knowing he’s still just on the other side of the door. I can’t see him, but I know he’s there.

I can’t explain the feeling—I just know.

“No need, pretty girl.” The term of endearment heals a crack in my heart I thought would be one of many permanent scars, and I don’t remember the last time someone other than Evee or Ava made me smile this big. “Sleep tight.”