the whole story other than what you all have told me.”
“Nothing much to tell. Jackson, Kal and I were all homeless and we bonded. We stuck together. One night we got caught in a fire in an abandoned house, and Josh Donovan saved our lives. He was one of the firemen who rescued us. Then he and his wife, Laurel, adopted us and became our parents, and we became Donovans.”
She nodded. “I’ve heard that part. What about before that?”
He sidestepped a pothole in the street. “You mean when we were homeless?”
“No. Before you became homeless. Your family life before you hit the streets.”
He hadn’t thought about that part of his life for a long time. “Not really much of what I would call a family life. It wasn’t a great time, so I try not to think about it.”
“Then I’m sorry I brought it up.”
“Don’t be. I just don’t focus on it. I’m a Donovan now, and have been for most of my life. It’s all that matters.”
She smiled at him. “Sure.”
He hated his childhood memories, before he met Jackson and Kal. His birth parents never parented him, not in the traditional sense. To them he had just been some kid who got in the way of their drug business.
He had never been happier than when he’d run away from them. If he’d stayed, he’d probably be dead.
He took a deep breath, inhaling the humid air, clearing his head.
“Tell me about your tattoo.”
He frowned. “My—” His lips lifted. “You ogled me while I was half-naked in the ER yesterday, didn’t you?”
She rolled her eyes. “I was not ogling. I was doing my job. But your tattoo is amazing.”
She’d totally ogled. Which was fine with him. Better than fine, actually. “Thanks. Jackson and Kal got the same one. Becks did them. It represents all of us and our bond as brothers and as firefighters.”
“Really? That’s very cool. Something else the three of you have in common now.”
“True.”
Then it went quiet again. The funny thing was, it wasn’t an uncomfortable silence. Carmen seemed content to just walk alongside him, and he was pretty happy to have her company.
“Great day for a walk, isn’t it?”
She shot him a look. “It’s hot, Rafe.”
“Yeah, but we’re alive and healthy and life is good, isn’t it?”
She arched a brow. “You always carry this annoyingly positive outlook?”
“Always. Why? Does it bother you?”
“Depends on my mood.”
“Yeah? And how’s your mood today?”
“I’m fine.”
That wasn’t a happy I’m fine, so clearly, something was on her mind. “Want to talk about it?”
“There’s nothing to talk about. I’m off work today. I made an extra batch of enchiladas, so dinner’s handled. And I’ve already done two loads of laundry.”
All domestic bullshit. “And what about you, Carmen? What are you doing for fun on your day off?”
She held her hands out. “I’m taking a walk, with you.”
“And I appreciate it. But that’s the nurse in you, making sure I’m okay. I’m talking about fun. What do you do to get out there and have a good time?”
She didn’t answer.
“Got a boyfriend?”
She looked flustered, as if the question made her unsettled. “Oh . . . no. Not me.”
“Girlfriend?”
She laughed. “Not one of those, either.”
“So you don’t date?”
“No. Not lately, anyway.”
“Why not?”
“Too busy. And I don’t want to.”
“Again . . . why not?”
They turned the corner, and she focused her attention on the park, watching kids play on the swings. “I . . . just don’t.”
Now he was really curious. Carmen was beautiful and had a lot to offer. She worked and cared for her grandfather, but surely, she took time out for herself. “Maybe you should consider it.”
They’d made it back to their street. She tilted her head up and gave him a curious look. “Why? Do you have someone in mind?”
He didn’t know why or how the words fell out of his mouth, but they did. “Yeah. Me.”
“Oh, God, no.”
The look of horror on her face would have made him laugh if he hadn’t been so insulted.
“Hey, I’m not that bad.”
“Oh, I didn’t mean it that way. I mean . . . look at you.” She gave him a head to toe once-over. “You’ re . . . amazing. Hot. Incredible looking. Any woman would be lucky to . . . What I’m saying is . . .”
Her eyes widened, and then she glanced over at her house. “Well, we’re back. Thanks for the walk. And for the invitation for the date, but I’m just not . . . Anyway, thanks, Rafe. Hope