Into The Fire - E. L. Todd Page 0,64

his head. “No. You did what you had to do. I guess I can understand why he would be upset. If you guys were serious, he probably wanted you to talk to him about it. But it’s a little harsh that he just walked away.”

That was the reaction I was hoping for. “The break up was hard for a while but I eventually got over it. How about you? Shelly said you had a break up around the same time.”

“Yeah…” He released a deep sigh like it was still painful for him. “I was with her for about two years when she just walked away. She said she needed time to see the world and travel…some shit like that.” He was clearly still bitter about it. “A week before I was going to propose to her, she ditched me.”

“Oh…I’m sorry.” That was heartbreaking.

“Thank you,” he said. “It’s been six months and everyone in my life has pressured me to move on. So, here I am.”

“I’m in the same boat.” I gave him a small smile.

“Honestly, I was really nervous before this date. I haven’t gone out in a really long time. I’m a bit rusty.”

“It’s okay. I am too.”

“You seem really nice, and obviously you’re beautiful. I owe my sister a nice Christmas gift this year.”

I chuckled. “I put up with her all the time so she owes me, like, twenty Christmas gifts.”

He laughed. “She’s a cheap brat so don’t send her your wish list.”

I smiled before I took a drink.

He did the same. “So, tell me about yourself.”

I told him a little about my life and how I ended up where I was. He made eye contact with me the entire time so he seemed interested. When the food arrived, he ate but continued to watch me.

“So…I’m not that interesting,” I said with a laugh.

“I’m not either. If you were hoping I was in a bike gang and I parachute out of airplanes, you’re going to be disappointed.”

“That would be a little risky for me, honestly.”

He flexed his bicep and winked. “You wouldn’t think I was daring or brave?”

“Of course I would. But I wouldn’t want to be married to you. I’d be afraid you wouldn’t come home.”

“Good,” he said. “Because I risk my life enough as a prosecutor.”

“At least that’s for a good reason. Jumping out of a plane makes you sound like an adrenaline junkie.”

“I guess.”

We spent the rest of the evening making small talk. He was nice enough, and had interesting things to say. We didn’t exactly click but we got along well enough. And he was cute. I’d definitely had much worse dates than that.

After he paid for dinner, we left the restaurant and stood on the sidewalk.

“Thanks for going out with me tonight,” he said politely. “I hope I didn’t scare you too much with my baggage and slightly crazy job.”

“No,” I said with a laugh. “I have the same baggage and an even more unusual job.”

“True,” he said in agreement. “Well, I’d love to take you out again…if you’re willing.”

It wasn’t exactly love at first sight, but most romances weren’t. “Yes, I’d like that.”

“Great.” He seemed relieved like I might say no.

I was surprised he didn’t offer to walk me home, but perhaps he wasn’t ready for the possibility of me letting him inside. Maybe he wanted to take this as slow as I did. That was perfect for me.

“How about Saturday?” he asked.

“I’m free.”

“Cool,” he said. “Dinner? I won’t take you parachuting if that’s what you’re worried about.”

If nothing else, he was funny. “Dinner sounds great.”

“Alright. I’ll see you then.”

***

The doorknob to my apartment jiggled then something heavy smacked against it. “Ouch.” Ash’s voice came through the door. “Why the hell is the door locked?”

I was cooking on the stove when I heard him. I purposely locked the door because I thought this might happen. The dynamic of our relationship had changed, and he couldn’t come and go freely whenever he wanted. I could have Brad over soon. “Hold on.”

“I think your door is busted,” he said as he tried to push against it. “Why would it be locked?”

“Just chill out.” I got to the door and opened it.

He stood in jeans and a t-shirt. His arms looked delicious in his sleeves of tattoos, and his blue eyes were hypnotic. I thought I was getting over him and realizing he was just a friend, but the second I looked at him, all I could think about was how beautiful he was. “What