Dashing Through the No (Holly Hearth Book 1) by KB Cinder

Author:KB Cinder [Cinder, KB]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-12-13T05:00:00+00:00

Dash

“Son of a bitch.”

“What’s wrong, Cap?”

I glance up at Dalton, one of the probationary firefighters at the station, and slide my phone to the edge of my desk.

His head is popped in my office door, his blond mop in desperate need of a trim. He’s fresh out of high school, around the same age I was when I started with the department.

“The weather report,” I lie.

He doesn’t need to hear how my best friend’s little sister is giving me the cold shoulder after I got her off last night. Twice.

I came into the station today on my day off just to keep my mind off of her.

He frowns. “Storm coming?”

Ha.

Not yet. But one hell of a storm is headed my way if Juni agrees to give us a try. I just hope Sage doesn’t break any of my teeth with his fists.

I straighten in my seat. “It’s going to be… uh, cold, the next few days.”

Flashing a smile, he slips his lanky frame fully into view, propping against the doorframe. “Well, it is almost Christmas.”

It is, and we’re ticking closer to the holiday party, where I’ll be face to face with Juni, whether she’s ready or not.

Whether I’m ready or not, too.

Her blowing me off is more than ego-bruising. It’s upsetting. I thought we’d made a genuine connection, even if it’s only been a physical one so far.

I had—and still have—every intention of pursuing something beyond that with her. I’m not the kind of guy that looks at a chick like a piece of ass. Especially Juni. I don’t do relationships unless I think they can go somewhere.

I shake off the melancholy, eager to change the subject. “How’s Ty?”

His younger brother, Ty, has had a rough few weeks. Dalton’s needed some leeway in his scheduling to get him to appointments, and I’ve been flexible wherever I can. Some of the guys are hard on him for it, but they don’t know that he’s carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. An epileptic little brother. A mother with lupus. The poor kid can’t catch a break.

“He’s doing great. The specialist thinks he’s found the right med combo for him.” The relief in his voice is notable.

I smile for the first time today. “That’s awesome. And your mom?”

He pats his flat midsection. “Trying to fatten me up with holiday cookies out the wazoo. She took a desserts class with Mabel down at the community center and hasn’t stopped baking since.”

My stomach twists.

Mabel.

Juni and Sage’s mom.

Christ.

I can’t escape Juni.

Why won’t she just text me, dammit? Even if she tells me to pound sand, at least it’s something.

I nod. “She’s the best.”

No one bakes better than Mabel. No one cooks better than her, either. I wish my mother would take a class with her. Not that I don’t appreciate the food she makes. It’d just be nice to taste the meals she prepares, that’s all.

Dalton smiles. “She’s a nice woman. Her daughter Juniper…”

I flick my eyes to his, and his smile fades.

“She’s… uh… nice to look at,” he finishes, reddening.

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