Page 3 of Dueling Flames

“You think I’m joking when I’m serious. It’s like you can’t read people’s faces. Captain now knows we don’t get along because you annoy me. When we’re training, I don’t wanna play around. Both of us almost got hurt. We almost destroyed the Jaws of Life. Why would you insist on using it when it made dat noise? Do you know how much dat cost?”

His smile disappeared. “You’re serious?”

“Yes. Get your act together.”

I turned and walked toward the stairs. I needed to work off this anger.

As I reached the stairs, I heard Thorne ask, “Does she hate me?”

“If she hated you, she wouldn’t talk to you,” someone said. Maybe Hank. Maybe Phoenix. I couldn’t tell at the moment. I just needed to get away.

Lissa

I walked into the fire station for my next shift knowing I’d have to talk this out with Thorne. After putting my things away in my locker, I turned to find Thorne standing right behind me.

“Jesus,” I said while putting a hand over my heart.

“Sorry,” Thorne said. “I have an idea.”

He smiled, and I pursed my lips. I didn’t want to admit how handsome he was when he smiled. Good looks wouldn’t soothe my anger.

“An idea for what?”

“For us to get along better.”

“We get along on calls and that’s all we need. We just need some boundaries.” I crossed my arms over my chest.

“I really didn’t know I annoyed you so much. Just listen to my idea.”

“We need to talk anyway.” I walked past Thorne and led him to one of the empty offices.

We sat across from each other, and I started. “Listen. We don’t need to be friends. We just need to be able to work together, which we’ve done well over the last few years. I just need you to stop messing around while we work.”

“I don’t play when we are on a run, and you know that.” His eyes narrowed in on me, and I raised an eyebrow. I’d never seen him serious outside a call before.

I leaned forward and put my elbows on my knees. “I mean play while training, while discussing work, while in this building. There are times when everyone can relax, but you don’t have to make a joke during every meeting and throughout training.”

“Fine.” Thorne leaned forward mirroring me. “But we need to have a better relationship. Maybe not friends, but we should get to know each other. We’ve worked together for two years. We should have a better understanding of each other.”

I fought rolling my eyes. “And how do you suggest we do that?”’

His eyes lit up, and he smiled.

Chapter 3

Present Day

Lissa

I walked away with a bruised elbow. That put me on restricted duty for now, but I hoped to be cleared soon. Thorne, however, broke his ankle and bruised his back in the chimney collapse. His doctor planned to discharge him later this afternoon. He’d be off runs for at least eight to twelve weeks, maybe longer depending on how his ankle healed.

I walked toward the hospital exit after my quick visit with Thorne after the doctor dismissed me. I could do what was expected of a partner outside of work, sometimes. The captain stood in the lobby talking on the phone. When he saw me, he hung up and stopped me.

“Lissa. I have a request of you,” he said.

My stomach dropped. I already knew I wouldn’t like it. “What is it?”

“You live on the first floor, right?”