Rescuing Alix by Krista Ames
Chapter Three
She was really hoping he’d forgotten the conversation before the rude interruption but apparently not. She wasn’t very good at taking care of her social life. Meeting new people made her nervous, especially when the focus went to her personally.
“Oh yes, you wanted to order lunch, right?” Lunch was the safe topic. Apparently, he didn’t think so though since he was laughing. He had a deep laugh, very sexy. I could get used to hearing that. Oh stop!
“I did come for lunch Alix, but that really wasn’t the only reason. I must admit I had ulterior motives. Guess that guy had bad timing because he makes me feel like I’m a stalker now.”
“I’m not sure what you mean?” She would never think him a stalker, she just wasn’t very good at trying to play dumb. In a roundabout way, he’d asked her out on a date, only they hadn’t had a chance to expand on it. She could only assume he’d had a moment of insanity and didn’t want to make Mrs. Waverly look bad for suggesting it.
“Well I think that nice librarian, Mrs. Waverly had a great idea. I’d really like it if you’d go out with me.”
“How about you just order some lunch instead?” She was treading water here, deep water. Their whole conversation was making her uncomfortable even though she’d been practically dying every day just watching him. The thing is, men didn’t approach her, ever. Alix couldn’t remember the last time she’d even been out on a date. Besides, Chloe was the outgoing one anyway.
“Okay, I give. I’ll order lunch if you’ll do two things for me.”
Two things? Was this going from bad to worse?
“What two things is that?”
“Well first, I’ll take whatever sandwich you think will fill me up. Surprise me because they all sound good and I can’t decide. “
“That’s an easy one; I’d recommend the meatball sub. I make the meatballs homemade.” She felt a bit of relief; talking food was her strong suite. She could do that all day long.
“So, what’s the second thing?” Not that she necessarily wanted to know.
“You have to go out with me.” His hand immediately rose to stop the rejection she knew was written all over her face.
“I promise I’m not a stalker or anything like that, but I just want to get to know you. Maybe we can get some ice cream down the street and take a walk on the beach? Harmless, I promise.”
Was this something she really wanted to do? Yes, absolutely but no at the same time. The one thing I don’t understand is why me?
Alix never got to ask her question aloud because before they got any further, the fire alarm sounded which meant he was being summoned.
“Shit. Alix, I’m really sorry, I have to go.” Kody looked genuinely disappointed but it’s what he did, and she couldn’t blame him for having to run out.
“It’s okay, but what about your sandwich? Should I wrap it up to go?”
“Food will have to wait; can I get a rain check?”
He made quick work of getting to the door but stopped half way through.
“I’m sorry about the ice cream. Any chance I can get a rain check on that too?”
“Of course, but you better go. The trucks are pulling out.” Then Kody flashed her that sexy as all get out smile on his way out and crashed into and danced around her partner Chloe, shouting woohoo and made a mad dash across the street.
“What in the hell was he so excited about?”
***
“Woohoo! Hot damn. Who’s the man?” Kody was shouting as loud as the station alarm was blaring while he threw his gear on and jumped on the truck as it rolled out of the overhead doors.
“What the hell are you yelling about?” His buddy Kamryn was shaking his head in disbelief and annoyance.
“She said yes man, she said yes!” He patted his buddy on the back
“Who said yes to what?”
“Alix, the sandwich shop lady? You know, across the street? I asked her out and she said yes.”
“Well miracles never cease. Congrats man, now get your head in the game; we’re heading to a big one.”
“Seriously? Where?”
He already had to rush out on Alix just when he’d gotten the nerve to go there and he didn’t even get lunch but tonight was his early out and he really wanted to be back before she got off work. He could always try to coax her into supper if the fire was out before morning. Did things never go right for him?
“It’s the Brystal Bay Press; that’s a huge fire hazard, buildings full of paper and chemicals. Witnesses say it went up quick and I’m sure it’s already a massive blaze. Clean-up will be a mess.”
Damn it; guess I won’t be seeing Alix tonight.
For the next several hours, fire fighters from two different stations worked tirelessly trying to salvage any part of the historical building the city’s newspaper had inhabited, to no avail.
As the trucks pulled into the Brystal Bay Fire station well onto dark, exhaustion was clearly visible as the men slowly went through their routine of putting gear way then washing down their equipment and trucks. Often, they were able to save a structure from complete ruin but tonight wasn’t one of those nights. Thank goodness no one was inside. The maintenance man had made the 911 call and then was able to make it out. Fires like these always made the guys feel a little deflated.
Kody leaned against the brick on the front of the station staring at the darkened shop across the street. He sure could use one of Alix’s meatball subs right about now, he was starved. It was probably a good thing she wasn’t there though because he smelled really bad. He’d been too damned worn out to shower inside and he probably had soot from head to toe. His own shower was a much better choice, and then he could just fall right into bed.
The only thing that would top that would be her in his shower, but he was getting ahead of himself; he couldn’t even manage to get them on a date. As he bent to grab his duffle bag off the ground, he swore he saw a shadow move in the window of the sandwich shop. It was too late for her to be there and anyway, it was her shop, she would have turned the lights on. He continued watching the window for any more movement.
“Dang, it really was a long day; I’ve got to be seeing things.”
Kody pushed away from the building to head home before he fell asleep on his feet. He glanced back to The Sand Bucket one last time before he jumped in his truck.