by Ivy Jordan
“That was great,” the director said, directly to me.
Instantly, my aches began to ease up, my brain felt the release of tension, and stomach was soothed. “That’s all for today,” he announced to the grumbles of some through the crowds of people.
I was relieved. Josh was off work today, other than the fundraiser prepping. I was looking forward to spending a day with him.
“Can you meet me for a late lunch?” I asked when Josh answered my phone call.
“I would love too,” he said, using that ‘L’ word once again and making my heart flutter.
I picked a place near the fire station, and quickly got out of wardrobe before heading that way.
The weather had finally offered a break from the heat, cooling to a content sixty-five. My radio blared a Lady Gaga song as I drove along the palm-tree lined streets toward the restaurant I’d chosen.
Josh’s little red sports car was already in the parking lot when I pulled in, so I took the spot beside it. He was already seated at the booth by the window and tapped to wave as I walked by. My cheeks blushed red as the excitement flowed through my veins. He made me so excited, just to see him, to be near him; this was more than just fun, more than just sex. What it was, I didn’t know yet. I know what I want it be.
“Do you think it would be rude to ask Tamara to be the photographer for the fundraiser?” he asked after we ordered our food.
“Not at all, why?” I asked.
“The photographer we had just canceled. There was a pretty serious illness in the family, I guess, not sure who, or what, but it was bad enough for them to just drop us,” he said, anxiety flowing through his words.
“I’m sure she’d be happy to do it,” I said.
“Well, the thing is, it doesn’t pay much, or like anything at all,” he grinned.
“Well, it is for charity. You’ve given us a place to stay, treated us like gold—there’s no way she’d refuse,” I assured him.
“I just hate to ask someone to do something like that, especially if they think they owe it to me,” he said.
I could understand where he was coming from, but we did owe it to him. “I’ll ask her if you want,” I said.
“How about you just mention that the photographer quit, but don’t ask,” he said.
“Okay. I can do that. And I know Tamara. She’ll certainly offer,” I insisted.
“Thank you,” he said sweetly, reaching across the table and taking my hand in his.
Those blue eyes pierced into mine with that same familiar look from the night before. They were filled with an emotion, something deep and meaningful, and his lips parted again, like he was about to say something, but didn’t. Instead, he heaved a deep, soft sigh.
My entire body shook with happiness as he squeezed my hand tightly in his.
“You forgot a little makeup,” he smiled, lifting his hand to my cheek.
He smeared across my skin with his fingers, wiping away the painted on bruise that makeup artist created. “Everyone in here probably thinks I beat you,” he laughed.
He pulled his hand away slowly, and I flinched dramatically causing him to jolt back. The waitress gave him a strange glare as she placed our food on the table. “That wasn’t nice,” he whispered as she walked away.
“What are you gonna do? Hit me?” I laughed.
When the waitress came back to check how we were doing, she still gave Josh a disgusted look. I had to tell her the truth, knowing that Josh didn’t deserve that awful glare. She looked uneasy at first, like I was being forced to make up the story. I laughed, showing her the makeup smeared from my cheek, and explaining my part in the movie.
She was excited that Josh wasn’t a woman-beater, but even more excited that she was serving a movie star. Yes, she called me a movie star. Me!
It felt good to have that kind of attention, even if it was just from a waitress at the small café. She thought of me as a movie star, and once my face was on the big screen, millions of other people would, too. Well, maybe thousands.
“I have a few more things to do at the station. How about I meet you at home for a romantic dinner?” he asked.
“Yes,” I smiled. Home. I still loved the sound of that.
Chapter Seven
“Can I stop by?” I asked Tamara as she answered my phone call.
“Sure. Is everything okay?” she asked.
“Yes. I just have something to ask you,” I assured her, and shoved my phone into my purse.
I waved to Josh as he pulled out of the parking lot and I headed downtown to Tamara’s studio.
She had just finished up her shoot as I walked in. “Hey,” she said, turning to greet me as I entered.
I watched her pack up her equipment carefully and thought about how foolish she’d been running back into the burning house to save it that night. Thank God for Josh.
“What did you want to ask me?” she asked, giving me a strange look.
I knew I was daydreaming, drifting off to a place of sadness at the thought of losing her. She was my best friend. My first friend in L.A. When I arrived in this town two years ago, she was my only point of contact. A Craigslist ad for a roommate was all I knew of her, and a couple phone calls before I met with her. We’d hit off instantly, and ever since that day, I’d considered her my best friend, like family.
“Is everything okay?” she asked.
“Yes. Sorry, I was drifting,” I sighed.
“No shit; where’d ya go?” she laughed.
I smiled and shook my head. She didn’t want to know. Not really.
“Josh just invited us all to a fundraiser at the fire station next week,” I said.
“Oh, yeah? I’d love to go,” she said quickly.
“Well, there’s more than that,” I said. She slid her camera bag over her shoulder and gave me another glance. “His photographer just dumped on him,” I stated.
“Oh, no. Does he need my help?” she asked.
“He does. But, he doesn’t want to ask. It’s charity, so of course, no pay for all your time,” I explained.
She laughed. “That’s not a problem. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have any time to give.”
“I knew you wouldn’t mind,” I said, relieved.
I gave her the details, made sure she had a clear schedule, and thanked her again before leaving.
Josh was delighted when he found out she’d offered to help. Tamara was delighted when he informed her what type of shoot she’d be doing.
“Sexy firemen calendar?” she asked, her eyes wide and filled with excitement.
Josh laughed as he nodded.
“What sexy firemen?” Lisa asked, obviously eavesdropping on the conversation from the other room.
“We do this every year. We’ve always had the same photographer, and since they volunteered their time, we never felt right about looking elsewhere. But, the guys are excited to have someone new on the job. I showed them some of your work, so they are ready to get started,” Josh said.
“This is the type of assignment I dream about,” Tamara giggled.
I knew she was trying to sound like what she said was a joke, but it wasn’t. It was an assignment we all dreamed about.
Lisa got on the phone and called Amy, telling her the good news. I could hear her squeal on the other end of the phone as Lisa pulled the receiver away from her ear. “She’s in,” she announced with her loud, obnoxious laugh.
The week was spent planning the day, helping with anything we could before the event took place. It felt good working with Josh, helping him. He’d done so much for all of us; it was nice to be able to give something back.
The guys at the station were all amazing, but I still found Josh to be extra special. Lisa and Amy helped set up the tables for the food while Tamara and I worked on the shoot.
Tamara had already been there most of the week by the day of the fundraiser. She’d taken action shots of the men as they were called off to fires, and even rode along to capture the c
haos, the heroism, and the sheer danger they faced each day. They were all excited to have her working with them, capturing moments that their previous photographer neglected. One firefighter in particular, Vinny, was more than a little excited to have her around.
I watched as they exchanged glances and noticed how she giggled like a schoolgirl when he was around. I’d never seen Tamara interested in anyone like that before. And Vinny, well, he was certainly interested in her.
Josh was shirtless, wearing his firefighter pants like he had on the first day we’d met. My heart raced at the memory of that first kiss. It was more than hot; it was scalding.
“Are you going to be okay for a bit?” he asked, pulling me into his bare chest.
“Yes. You do what you need to do. I have plenty to keep me busy,” I assured him.
The large banquet hall directly across from the station had graciously offered their space for the event. The firemen all needed to be close by, in case of an emergency, and they hated that some couldn’t attend if it was further across town. “You can’t schedule fires,” Josh had said with a laugh.
“Unless you’re an arsonist,” I teased.
A large green screen Tamara was able to snag from a friend was being used to create backgrounds for each of the shots. The men would all take their turns in front of her camera, each getting their own month in the calendar to adorn with their thick muscles and chiseled features.
A second book would be available, one with all her action shots of the men at work. It would bring in entirely new revenue, really allowing the men to help the community out with the funds raised.
I was proud of Tamara. She really came through for the guys.
People began piling into the large space, taking seats at the white-linen clad tables. Tamara set up her equipment and fussed with the lighting while I greeted people at the door, offering the programs for the evening’s events.
Once everyone was inside, I took my seat at the table in front. Amy and Lisa were already seated, and several of the men’s wives and girlfriends took the other seats. Josh didn’t have one date to escort at the fundraiser—he had four, and the other guys made several comments to show their admiration, and of course, their jealousy about the situation.
Josh ate it up, loving every jab, joke, and tease about his “harem.” The girls seemed to enjoy the razzing, as well.
A large man with thick gray hair and a long white beard introduced himself, and then all of the guys, one by one. When he called Josh’s name, my heart fluttered. I was so proud to be by his side.
Tamara took her shots as the guests all enjoyed the live photo shoot. On each table was an order form for the calendar, and a sample book of the action shots Tamara had taken. It was impressive.
“That was so awkward,” Josh said, sliding into the seat beside me.
“Why?” I asked, not thinking he’d be uncomfortable modeling, even in front of a large crowd.
“All these people,” he exclaimed, his hands in the air to show his dismay.
“Was it more awkward than getting naked with the girl you only dated once?” I laughed.
His eyes widened and his lips curled into a smile. He pulled my chair closer to him, leaning in to kiss my lips. “That wasn’t awkward. That was awesome,” he boasted.
“It was awkward. At least at first,” I admitted.
“No way. That’s a man’s dream. One date and the girl gets naked in bed with you,” he joked.
“Yeah, and not being able to do anything with her?” I asked, giving him a look to prove I was still right.
“Oh, I could’ve done something if I’d wanted,” he chuckled.
I shook my head as my cheeks started to turn red with heat.
“I don’t think so,” I corrected him.
“I saw your wet spot. You left one on my leg, too,” he smirked.
Oh, God!
He leaned in again, kissing me gently on the lips to ease my embarrassment. He was right. He could’ve done whatever he’d wanted to me that day. He had a strange effect on me, lifting my inhibitions without hesitation. Hell, I’d fuck him right here if he continues to kiss me like this.
Chapter Eight
The insurance company had disbursed all the necessary checks to the construction crew, and the rebuild was well underway. I knew we’d be leaving Josh’s house soon, and that thought drove me nuts. I didn’t want to leave.
“They gave me a check for a hotel,” Tamara said, flashing it in front of my face.
There were a lot of zero’s on that paper. “How much?” I asked.
She slapped it on the counter, smiling at the large number. “There’s four of us, so two hotel rooms, and they calculated the time we’ve been here as if we were paying for a hotel all this time,” she gushed.
“That’s a lot of money. Can you keep it, or do you have to give it back?” I asked.
“Give it back? Are you nuts?” she laughed. “I was thinking that we could donate it to Josh’s fire station,” she said in a hush, so he couldn’t hear.
“That’s an amazing idea,” I agreed.
Josh walked into the room. Tamara quickly scooped up the check and stuffed it into her purse. Her smile was riddled with guilt, and her lips started to curl as she worked to hide her anxiety. “You okay?” Josh asked, chuckling as he stared at her tortured face.
“I’m good,” she said quickly, before rushing from the kitchen.
“What’s gotten into her?” Josh asked.
“The insurance company stuff. I think they said the place would be livable next week. The kitchen got it the worst, but three of the four bedrooms were not so bad,” I explained.
I watched for a reaction as I spoke. I was hoping for a sad, ‘please don’t go’ look, and possibly even exactly those words to escape from his beautiful lips. He didn’t seem to have a reaction, at all. That is disturbing.
“I’m sure she’s ready to get back home,” he said.
Nothing? No sad puppy eyes? No begging me to stay?
“Yes,” I agreed.
“Hell, all of you are probably about sick of me,” he laughed.
“You’ve been amazing. It’s going to be hard to leave,” I said, hinting for something, anything, from him.
“It’s going to be hard to let you go,” he said sweetly, gripping my waist and pulling me into him. Finally.
“You’ll miss me?” I asked, my bottom lip pouting.
“Of course,” he growled, biting at my neck and making me squeal.
“I have to work the next two days,” he said as he pulled away.
We’d made love that morning, but I suddenly ached for more. I hated when he left for work; it seemed forever before he’d return. My arms wrapped around his shoulders and pulled him closer against me. His warmth soothed me, melting me into him, and when his eyes stared into mine it made me shudder in his arms. “When do you have to leave?” I asked.
“I’m already late,” he said, pulling from my embrace.
He seemed distant, a little strange. It gave me a very bad feeling in my gut. Maybe he’d just been nice, and this wasn’t what he wanted at all. Maybe I was reading more into this than there was, or could be.
Maybe Josh, Mr. Perfect, was too good to be true.
I sulked most of the day on set, upset that Josh hadn’t called. I knew my insecurities were getting the better of me, but I didn’t know how to make it stop.
“Are you okay?” Tamara asked when she made it home that night.
I was on the couch, covered under a blanket, and watching a sappy romance movie, which, of course, was making me even sadder. What if this is it?
“What if Josh doesn’t want me once I leave?” I asked, tears falling down my cheeks.
“Why would you even think that? You two are great,” Tamara scolded.
Maybe I was being silly, but something told me I’d gotten too close, and that I was about to get hurt.
“I dunno,” I said, laughing at my emotional outburst.
I told Tamara how I told him the house would be ready soon, and how he acted almost relieved that we’d be going. That I’d be going.
“You’re just scared,” she assured me. “I think you’ve fallen for this guy,” she laughed, wiping the last tear from my cheek.
I already knew I had. I’d fallen for him the first time we’d made love. I just tried my best to convince myself it was nothing more than fun. I didn’t want hurt. Not again. I’d been down that road before. He was just so perfect. I thought we were perfect together.
“Things have moved really fast,” Tamara said sternly. “I mean, you moved in with the man only after a couple weeks,” she added.
I nodded, fighting back my tears. “I know,” I admitted.
Maybe this fire wasn’t the blessing in disguise I’d thought it had been, after all. Maybe, just maybe, it was the thing that would destroy any chance I had with Josh. Once I left, things would be awkward. Would we go back to dating? To him dropping me off at my front door step? Or would we just drift apart completely, never to speak again?
“He hasn’t called me all day,” I admitted, feeling embarrassed that it bothered me so badly.
“It may have been a busy day,” she insisted. “Why don’t you talk to him? Ask him what is going on in his head. He may be having the same worries as you,” she added, and then gave me a quick hug.
I scooped up my blanket and drug it up the stairs to Josh’s room. I hated sleeping in his large bed alone, without his warmth, his scent, and his sweet sounds of sleep that soothed me into a secure slumber.
Tamara was right. I needed to talk to him. Maybe he was having the same concerns and wasn’t sure how to address them. He hadn’t been awkward until I told him we’d be leaving soon.
Josh was exhausted when he finally made it home. He hadn’t slept in twenty-four hours and had fought six fires. I felt bad for worrying so much, for thinking he was ignoring me.
He pulled his phone from his pocket, ripped off his jacket, and tossed it on the chair by the bed before giving me a quick kiss, and heading towards the bathroom to get a shower and much needed sleep.