America's Bravest by Kathryn Shay Page B

accepted Ryan’s
offer of a date tonight.
    The O’Malleys told the rest of the story, and
Rachel was duly entertained. Later, after dessert of terrific Baked
Alaska that melted on your tongue, the guys suggested dancing at a
club over in Camden Cove, where Brody and Ryan had grown up. She
and her sister readily agreed. They stopped at the ladies’ room on
the way in and the brothers went ahead to get a table.
    As soon as they finished their business,
Alexis pulled Rachel to a settee. “I wish you were having a better
time.”
    “I’m having—” At Alexis’s knowing stare,
Rachel stopped the lie before it left her mouth. “Okay, I’m
trying
to have a good time. You don’t think Ryan noticed,
do you? He’s a nice guy.”
    Alexis snorted. “He’s a player. Watch out for
him. He’ll try to get you into bed as soon as you’re back at your
house, no matter how preoccupied you are.”
    “Oh, God.” The thought of another man’s hands
on her made her ill.
    “Things no better at work?” Translated—with
Gabe.
    Shaking her head, Rachel scanned the pretty
peach lounge. “Worse. We had a fight last night at a birthday party
at my house.”
    “What about?”
    She gave her sister the details.
    “Hmm.”
    “Hmm, what?”
    “He offered you a way out of this, then.”
    “Not one that I’d accept. I can’t risk what
an affair with a firefighter—my boss—would do to my reputation. To
the reputation of all the women in the department.”
    Alexis got that
doctor look
on her
face. “I know firefighting’s important to you, sweetie. But there
are other things in life.”
    “Lexie please, I don’t want to get into
this.” She stood. “Let’s go dance and have fun.”
    Out on the floor, the O’Malley twins were
terrific dancers—of course. Ryan swept Rachel up into a swing,
which she knew how to do thanks to her mother’s insistence on
dancing lessons. Her short, royal blue halter dress swirled around
her knees, and she giggled at the dips and turns and antics of her
partner. When a slow song started, Ryan pulled her into his arms.
“So, who’s the guy?”
    “Excuse me?”
    “Who’ve you been thinking about while I’m
trying to work my magic on you?”
    “Nobody.”
    “I been in the game too long a time,
sweetheart, not to recognize moping. Who’s the lucky guy?”
    “Not somebody I can have.”
    “You sure? ’Cause if I can’t distract you,
something really serious is going on inside your head.”
    She chuckled. “Can we drop it? I am having
fun.”
    “Okay, I’m not one to talk anyway.”
    “Never found anybody you liked enough to
settle down?” She knew he and Brody were six years older than
she.
    “Haven’t tried. Besides, if you have to look,
you aren’t ready. It should just happen.”
    A few minutes later, as the band played
loudly and the lights captured dancers in movement, two women
walked by. Ryan’s eyes gleamed, and when Rachel tracked his gaze,
she said, “See something you like?”
    “They’re both gorgeous.”
    “Don’t you know who they are?”
    “Should I?”
    “They work at our firehouse. Sands and White.
Sydney and Felicia.”
    “Wow, they clean up good.”
    “Wanna go talk to them?”
    “Sure. Though White doesn’t seem to like me,
which I totally don’t understand.” He said the words so deadpan
Rachel smiled.
    Her colleagues had stopped at the edge of the
dance floor. Felicia did look great in a one-piece, black clingy
thing, and Sydney had outdone herself in a short, ruffled, gray
dress that hit way above the knees. She wore it with stacked heels
so the dress seemed even shorter.
    “Hey,” Rachel said, coming up to them,
holding Ryan by the hand. His palm was big and warm, but
not…Gabe’s.
    Felicia rolled her eyes. “Oh, shit, we’re all
here and look girly.”
    “Nothing wrong with that, darlin’,” Ryan said
as he touched the lieutenant’s arm.
    Felicia gave him a scathing look until he
moved his hand. “Save it, O’Malley. I’m