Wildfire Hurricane (A Ryder Boys Novel Book 1) by Amelia James Page A

it’s not moving.”
    “No.” Cassie frowned and looked at the projected path maps.
    “And it could go any direction.” Simone stopped directly behind her.
    Cassie spun in her chair. “Yes, but I think—”
    “Including south, the track most hurricanes in this region follow.”
    “Most likely.”
    “The National Weather Service’s computer models show it going south.”
    Cassie stood, facing her boss. “But there are models that show it moving north.”
    Simone refused to back off. “Just one.”
    “And I think it’s right.” Cassie crossed her arms. “El Niño and other systems in the area are going to push it our way.”
    “We’re inland.”
    “Hurricanes can spin off tornados and cause inland flooding from the heavy rain. We need to issue a watch.”
    Simone shook her head.
    Cassie glanced around her shoulder. “Dash, what do you think?”
    Simone turned and caught him staring at them, looking as if he’d rather be roasting cocktail weenies in hell than playing referee between his boss and his supposed ex. How long has he been listening?
     
    ***
     
    Dash’s hair stood on end as the sparks between the two women electrified the entire room. They glared at him, each waiting for him to come to her defense. Fortunately, he’d been listening long enough to make an informed statement supporting one position. He let his muscles relax, preparing to duck and run when the other one unleashed her fury. “The odds of that storm coming up here are longer than Wyatt’s record setting field goal.” A record that still stood in the state. “Simone’s right, Cassie. We don’t need to worry about this thing.”
    Cassie snarled. “Is this your idea of keeping it professional?”
    “Yes, it is. I have no reason to side with Simone.” Other than keeping my head attached. “You’ve seen all the models. We both know they’re right.”
    Cassie moved close to Dash and pleaded with him. “But I have a bad feeling about this storm.”
    Simone laughed. “We can’t issue a watch based on your feelings.”
    Cassie whirled and glared at her rival. “Since when do you care about my feelings?”
    “I don’t.” Simone planted her feet. “This job is based on reason and logic, not catty emotions and unprofessional behavior.”
    Flynn moved closer to Dash. “Girl fight. My money’s on Simone.”
    Mine too. He let the two women have it out, prepared to defend either if the need arose. But Cassie did a good job holding her own, and of course, Simone reveled in the conflict. The need in his pants started rising.
    “ I’m unprofessional?” Cassie marched in her boss’s face. “Do you always sleep with the men under you or the just ones in relationships? Who’s next? Flynn? No, he’s single. The police chief? He’s married. Perfect for you.”
    “I’m not in a relationship.” Dash uttered the words as Simone shot a pointed glare at him.
    She turned her fury on the forecaster. “What happened between Dash and me is none of your business. I’ll date whoever I want, even Flynn.”
    “I’m good with that.” Flynn leaned close to Dash and whispered, “The new boss is hot when she’s pissed.”
    No one had to tell him that. “She’s way out of your league, man.”
    “I suppose she’s in your ballpark?”
    Dash tried to hold back a smile, thinking of all the times he’d scored with her—including last night—when she’d been as pissed off hot as he’d ever seen her. “Home run.”
    “There’s no policy against relationships with employees.” Simone had done her homework. “Which is lucky for you because you’d be in clear violation of it.”
    “You’re lucky Dash hasn’t filed a sexual harassment claim against you. He’s your subordinate.” Cassie shot her venom in his direction. “Why haven’t you?”
    He shrugged. “I wasn’t harassed.”
    Simone smirked and Cassie snarled.
    Electronic tones cut through the air, signaling a severe weather alert. Cassie turned to her monitor and