“Then he took off,” I remind her—and myself—as the image of him dissolves.
“He got a call, Rosa. It’s kind of his job.” She gives me a little nudge with her shoulder.
I hadn't wanted him to leave, but I understood why.
“We can track him down.” Rie pulls out her cell phone and starts clicking away. She’s killer at social media stalking. I should tell her to stop but there’s no point. She’s on a mission, but it’s not like I’m going to find him and track him down. What would I say? Thanks for saving my life and let me cry all over you. Want to go out sometime? I swear I won’t dress up like a unicorn and catch fire. My shyness would never let that happen. I’m still shocked at how I clung to him to begin with.
“He doesn't have a social media account. What a weirdo.”
“I don’t have one,” I remind her.
“Yes you do.”
I roll my eyes. She’s made me one but I never use it. I don’t think I’ve ever made a post or even logged into it. The only thing that would possibly show up is whatever profile picture she gave me and whenever she tags me in something.
“The firehouse has one.” She makes an evil smirk that says nothing will stop her now. “Found it.”
She turns her phone so I can see the screen and on it is a picture of Blaze. He’s leaning up against one of the fire trucks smiling with one of those dimples on full display. I wonder what has put the smile on his face. I look at the date of the post and it says it was only posted a little bit ago.
“I normally like them a little rough, but I’d make an exception for him.” I smack her arm, which sends her phone flying. “I was teasing!” she laughs, bending down to pick her phone up from off the floor. “You must really be crushing.”
“It doesn't matter. I’m not going to see him again.” Rie starts to say something but I cut her off. “You’re not setting anything on fire.” I point at her, knowing what she’s thinking.
“It was just an idea.” I shake my head at her with a solid no. “Okay. How about we make a thank-you basket full of your snickerdoodles and we take it down to the fire station?” she suggests.
“I think I’ve embarrassed myself enough in front of that man.” I don't need to go another round, and being shot down by him would be killer. I’ve never come on to a man before and I know I’d end up in some crazy mess the same way I did when I dressed up like a unicorn. I can see it now. Rie would try and dress me up in heels and I’d fall flat on my face right in front of him.
“You only live once,” Rie reminds me. “What if he’s, like, your one?”
“You don’t believe in the ones,” I remind her, but she keeps on pushing.
“Can you blame me? If there was one person for everyone, my dad would have found one by now with the number of women he’s gone through.” She scrunches her face, making me wonder if he’s found a new woman and brought her to their lunch today.
“I’ll think about it.” I give in because she’s right. You really only live once.
He was the first thing in forever that got me excited about something. Unlike Rie, I do believe in finding the one. What if Blaze is mine?
Plus, it’s not as though I can make it any worse than I already have. Right?
Chapter Six
Blaze
“Gotcha,” Chief says from nearby and I look up to see him holding his phone at me.
“Did you just take my picture?” My smile falls as I walk over to him.
“We need your pretty face to give our firehouse some love. You know my ugly mug can’t do it.”
“It’s because you scowl so much,” I say before trying to take his phone from him. “What are you doing with that?”
“Posting it to our social media. Why don’t you tell me what had you smiling so big?”
“None of your business.”
I turn around and go back over to the truck to start cleaning out some of the gear. My thoughts instantly drift back to that glittery unicorn covered in fire extinguisher foam and tears. It shouldn’t make me smile so much, but the way she fell right into my arms did something to me. It made her endearing and her clumsiness makes me want to follow her around so nothing bad happens to her.
By the time we handled the call that took us away from her, it was too late. I went back to the park but everyone was gone, and disappointment hit me harder than I thought it would. It surprised me how my heart fell when I couldn’t find her, but I’m hoping for a phone call any moment that can point me in the right direction.
As if my hopes have sprung to life, my cell phone rings.
“I know why you’re calling me and we both know I can’t give you what you want,” April says, but I can hear the smile in her voice.
“Come on, I know you had to write down her info somewhere. Just a phone number. I could call and do your follow-up for you.” I’m not above begging, and maybe even theft.
She sighs and then there’s a long pause. “It’s against the law for me to share medical information with you, Blaze.”
My hope begins to sink, and I’m already trying to think of another way to find her.
“I appreciate you calling, but I’ve got a long shift today.”
“I know, I just really—”
“A really long shift.”
“I heard you,” I say, but
