The Firefighter's Dilemma by Mariah Ankenman

Author:Mariah Ankenman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: City Life Fiction; Contemporary Romance Fiction; General Humorous Fiction; Humor & Satire Fiction; Romantic Themes Workplace; The Dating Dilemma; Mariah Ankenman; Entangled Publishing; Amara; Stand Alone Romance; Single Title Romance; Romantic Comedy Book; New Romantic Comedy; RomCom Book; Romcom Novel; Popular Romance; Mile High Firefighters; Series Romance; Matchmaker Book; Reformed Playboy; The Wedding Dilemma; Romance book; Romance novel; The Firefighter’s Dilemma by Mariah Ankenman; The Firefighter’s Dilemma; friends to lovers; firefighter; romance; friends to lovers romance; competition; firefighters; coworkers; reality TV; enemies to lovers; colorado; first responders; competition; new adult romance
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC
Published: 2023-01-25T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fourteen

“Steli? Can you believe it? What a ridiculous name.”

Eli followed Díaz back into their cabin. She’d been ranting about the silly mash-up of their names for the past ten minutes, ever since their interview ended and they headed back toward their cabin. It seemed fans had already shipped them, despite both of them telling Gina in their last interview that they weren’t a couple. The internet didn’t care. They only wanted to see them kiss.

“At least they put your name first?” he said with a shrug.

Díaz chuckled. “Yeah, Eliphanie is a bit of a mouthful.”

Sounded like a name for an elephant who took up burlesque dancing to him.

“Why would they even think we’re together?”

“I know, right.” He moved into the kitchen, opening the fridge and praying the show provided a beer or wine or something alcoholic to dull the ache in his chest. Dammit, no such luck. “You lowering your standards to be with me? Unbelievable, even for reality TV.”

That stopped her tirade. She turned to face him, a pinch of guilt in her eyes.

“I didn’t mean it like that.”

Grabbing the orange juice and wishing he had vodka to put in it, he closed the fridge. “It’s okay. I know you’re too good for the likes of me.”

Her brow furrowed. “That’s not true.”

It was, actually. She led her life on her own terms, and to hell with what anyone thought about it or her. He admired that so much. He was always so worried about disappointing people he often hid behind humor or bad jokes. Never digging deeper. Never allowing anyone to see past the easy-guy facade he presented to them.

“Eli.” She stepped forward, reached out, and placed a gentle hand on his arm. “You’re… Oh my god, you’re disgusting. Stop that!”

Her gentle touch turned into a light smack as he brought the OJ up to his mouth and drank straight from the bottle.

“Ew, now I can’t drink any of it. Thanks a lot.”

“What?” He held the jug out to her with a teasing grin. “Afraid I have cooties?”

It wasn’t like he didn’t do the same thing at the station. They all did from time to time. Sometimes it was just too much effort to grab a glass.

With a defiant look, she grabbed the jug from his hands. Tossing her head back, she brought it to her lips for a long pull. He watched as her full lips pressed against the open bottle top, wondering if she could still feel the warmth on the rim from his. He stared at their fullness as they cupped the white bottle, jaw tensing.

Damn, could a person be jealous of a plastic jug?

“There,” she said, plopping the jug back into his hands. “Now we both have cooties. Use a glass next time.”

He chuckled, walking over to the cabinet to grab two glasses and fill them.

“Hey, Ward, about the interview.”

He tensed at the caution in her tone. Whatever she was about to say, he was pretty sure he didn’t want to hear it.

“The stuff with your dad…”

He turned, shock setting him back.

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