Stepping inside, he looked toward the other man. “Serial flirter?”
“I’ve known her for a long time. She loves to laugh, drink, dance, and flirt. What she doesn’t do is date.”
It was on the tip of his tongue to ask why, but his attention was pulled to the side as they approached a group of other firemen. Terry also had a smirk on his face, but unlike Bill’s, his was accompanied by a nasty gleam in his eye.
“Saw you dancing with the Ice Princess.”
“Pardon?”
“Sandy, otherwise known as the Ice Princess,” Terry said. Chuckling, he muttered, “Among other things.”
His fingers twitched into a fist, but before he had a chance to respond, one of the other men laughed and said, “Definitely gives a man a case of blue balls.”
Considering that he was the one that called off their kiss and not her, he had no trouble assuming she’d shot the others down. Not willing to rub that in their faces, he remained quiet. But the other men standing around didn’t do the same.
“Her daddy’s loaded,” James said. “She’s got a fancy-ass job, but I figure she lives off Daddy’s money.”
“One look at her and you can tell she’s high-maintenance. Those aren’t fake diamonds on her ears or around her wrist. Gorgeous as fuck, but damn, she never lets anyone get in there,” one of the others said.
“And what I wouldn’t do to get in there!” Terry laughed.
His gaze steady as he looked at the others, Rory asked, “If she’s such a pain in the ass, how come everyone is so friendly to her?”
“Because she’s a friendly girl,” James said. “She’s funny and great to have a drink with.”
“And because she’s so fuckin’ gorgeous,” Terry added. “Damn, most women see her as competition, and then when you move on from her to someone else, they’re grateful just to have your attention. It’s like Sandy’s the perfect wingman and doesn’t even know it!”
The others laughed, lifting their beer mugs into the air. Remaining quiet, he had to admit their words were biting into the pleasure he’d felt. He had even considered her flirting to be in a quiet, understated way. And if the kiss they’d shared was anything to go by, she wasn’t a cold fish—and sure as hell wasn’t a cocktease. He had been the one to end it only because he truly wanted to be a gentleman. She didn’t strike him as one-night stand material. But what do I know? I’m just the new guy around here. Maybe I’m just the fresh meat.
Disquieted, he glanced over and saw Blay walking into the pub. As they greeted each other, Blay held his gaze. “Damn, you either look like you need another drink or you need to talk.”
“Probably a little of both. Got a moment? Privately?”
“Absolutely.”
The two moved closer to the front of the bar where it was less crowded. “What can you tell me about Sandy?”
Blay’s chin jerked back as a smirk crossed his lips. “Well, damn, Rory, you haven’t needed my advice since we both wanted to go after Mary Lou Connor in middle school.”
“Jesus, fuck, Blay. Shut up and listen. Met her, like her, she seems into me.”
Blay’s grin widened. “Then what the hell do you need from me? I don’t see the problem.” Rory remained quiet and Blay glanced toward the back and slowly nodded. “I get it, I get it. Let me guess… Terry, right? Man, he just likes to stir up shit. She probably turned his ass down and he’s still bitchin’.”
Rory snorted. “I guess I just need a little perspective from someone who’s not trying to prove who’s got a bigger dick.”
“Well, if it’s a bigger dick you’re asking about—”
“Christ, Blay… seriously?”
Blay barked out a laugh and jerked his hand up in front of him. “Look, Terry is full of shit. James is a player, and Terry is always trying to one-up him. I don’t know Sandy very well. She seems friendly, and with her looks, it’s not hard to imagine that she’s used to the attention. I mean, Jesus, she’s fuckin’ gorgeous. And if she’s into you, then I’d believe it. Yes, I’ve heard that her dad’s loaded, and she’s got money, but that’s no sin, and you can’t hold that against her.”
With his hands planted on his hips, Rory dropped his head and stared at his boots. “This is stupid. I haven’t been out of the Army that long and sure as fuck don’t need to be getting involved right now.”
“The only advice I can give you really has nothing to do with her specifically. You’re trying to get hired as an EMT, and you want to go for paramedic certification, which is going to take time and a lot of concentration. You moved in with your parents to save money. Do you have time in your life for a woman? Especially if there’s a possibility that she’s high-maintenance?” Shrugging, Blay added, “Hell, you’re the only one who can answer that, but just think about it.”
Nodding, he clapped his friend on the shoulder and led their way toward the back to their friends.
That night, he lay in bed on his back, one arm bent at the elbow with his hand under his head. His mind was churning with everything Blay had pointed out, all of it true. He’d only been home a short while, having been honorably discharged from the Army. Blay had already gotten out of the military and was working for the Hope City Fire Department, and Rory jumped at the chance to volunteer. He’d been a combat medic and was now almost finished with the certification for becoming a civilian EMT. The military now provided the necessary training and paperwork so that it was easier to make the transition into civilian emergency services work. Once he had that under his belt, Hope City would hire him, and he’d finally have a paycheck again. His military service would count as part of his
