Page 15 of Startup Fire

Chapter 7

Firefighting Hero

Jess had been staring at the ceiling of her garage apartment for three hours when the sun finally came up.

That shouldn't have happened.

Wayne's words played on repeat in her head, along with the feeling of his hands on her waist, his mouth on hers, the way he'd lifted her onto that workbench like she weighed nothing. The heat of him, the desperate edge to his kiss—

And then nothing. Just that abrupt retreat, those clipped words, and the slam of the door behind her.

She should face her grandparents. Act normal. Pretend yesterday hadn't turned her entire world sideways.

Jess dragged herself out of bed, into the shower, and later crossed the yard to the main house. The smell of coffee and bacon hit her the moment she opened the back door.

“There she is!” Grandma looked up from the stove, spatula in hand. “I was beginning to think you'd sleep all day.”

“It's seven-thirty, Grandma.”

“Exactly. Half the morning gone.” Grandma turned back to the bacon, but not before Jess caught the assessing look in her eyes. “You feeling alright, dear? You look tired.”

“Didn't sleep great.” Jess poured herself coffee and settled at the kitchen table across from her grandfather, who was hidden behind the morning paper.

“Your grandmother's worried about you,” Grandpa said, lowering the paper enough to peer at her over his reading glasses.

“I'm fine.”

“That's what people say when they're not fine.” But he raised the paper again, giving her space.

Grandma set a plate of bacon and eggs in front of Jess. “Is everything alright with the barn arrangement? Wayne treating you well?”

Jess's stomach twisted. “It's fine. The workspace is perfect.”

“And Wayne?”

“Is also fine.” She focused on her eggs. “Why do you ask?”

“No reason. Just that you've been spending a lot of time over there.” Grandma settled into her own chair with her coffee. “We're not complaining, dear. Just want to make sure you're happy.”

“I'm happy.”

“You don't look happy.”

Jess set down her fork. “Grandma. I'm fine. The work is going well. Wayne's been very generous with the space. Everything's on track for the fundraiser.”

All true. All completely beside the point.

Grandma studied her for a long moment, then seemed to let it go. “Well, that's good. Grandpa and I were just saying how nice it is that you've found somewhere to work. And Wayne's such a responsible young man. Keeps to himself, but very reliable.”

Something in her tone made Jess look up. “Do you know him well?”

“Wayne?” Grandma exchanged a glance with Grandpa, who lowered his paper again. “Not particularly. He's always been a bit of a hermit. Especially after his mother passed.”

“When was that?”

“Oh, let's see... six years ago? Maybe seven. Cancer.” Grandma shook her head. “Terrible thing. Wayne took it hard.”

“He lived with her?”