Читать книгу Flames of Passion - Kayla Perrin, Kayla Perrin - Страница 12

Chapter 4

“So?” Mason began, his eyebrows raised. “What’s going on with you and Nya?”

Tyler, Mason and the other firefighters had just returned to the firehouse from a vehicle fire on the Pacific Highway. An SUV had collided with a minivan, and the SUV had caught fire. Thankfully, they’d been able to get the woman and her son out of the car alive, but badly burned. It had been a scene of chaos and fear, after which the mood among the firefighters at Station Two had been dour. So it was an odd time for Mason to be bringing up the subject of Nya.

“Why are you asking me about Nya?” Tyler asked as he began to remove his turnout jacket.

“Sabrina,” Mason said. “I just checked my phone, and I missed a call and a text from her. She said she needed to convey an urgent message about your date with Nya on Friday night. Nya wants you to know that she’s canceling.” Mason flashed him a confused look. “I didn’t even know you knew Nya.”

Tyler hung his jacket on its hook, then began to take off his boots. So Nya was trying to cancel on him. After all the great points he had made about why they should go to the screening?

Tyler wasn’t about to let her off that easily. In fact, all last night he had remembered the shock—then excitement—when she’d kissed him.

“I met her last night,” Tyler said. “Well, I met her again I should say. Obviously, I met her when I went to the studio for my shoot.”

Tyler felt two strong hands press into his shoulders from behind then heard Omar ask, “Are you talking about that beautiful woman you were kissing last night?”

Mason’s eyes widened with surprise. Tyler tried not to show any reaction, though he hated that Omar had blurted that out. But what did Tyler expect? Firefighters were family, and families always teased each other about personal matters.

And when it came to women and dating, Omar was the biggest devil’s advocate. He seemed determined to keep some kind of score and to prove to everyone else that he could get any woman he wanted.

Omar had probably been waiting for the right moment to bring up last night’s incident, but the morning had been unusually busy with the carbon monoxide call, and now this vehicle fire on the freeway. But Omar had been standing next to him at the bar when Nya had suddenly kissed him. One minute, Omar was pointing out to Tyler a woman that he hoped to go home with. The next, Tyler was making out with Nya in the middle of the bar.

“What about you?” Tyler asked Omar. “Did you hook up with that woman you were checking out?”

“Forget about Omar,” Mason said. “He’s always getting action. You, on the other hand...you were kissing Nya?”

“Hell must have frozen over,” one of the other guys said, and a few of them started laughing.

“Very funny, guys,” Tyler said, and told himself not to be annoyed. The subject of his love life—or lack thereof—always brought about jokes. Yes, he had stayed with Carol months after their relationship had all but died—and the guys had known it—which was why they acted as though he was completely hung up on his ex. Was it really wrong to have tried to work things out with Carol after investing years with her?

Omar would definitely say yes. Had it been his relationship, he would have left a long time ago and found a new woman to keep him warm.

“You think every time I get some action I come here and gossip about it like a schoolgirl?” Tyler asked. “A real man knows how to keep certain things to himself.”

There were some “Ooohs,” and another firefighter elbowed Omar in the ribs playfully.

“Hey,” Omar began, “I know how much you all enjoy the details. That’s why I share.”

Tyler turned away from Omar and met Mason’s curious gaze. “Did you actually take Nya home for a one-night stand?” he asked, giving Tyler a look that said he would be less surprised if he had been abducted by aliens last night.

“What—you think it couldn’t happen?” Tyler countered.

“Hey, if you’ve finally put Carol in the rearview mirror...” Mason patted him on the shoulder.

“Oh, come on,” Tyler protested. “Not the Carol lecture again.”

“We wouldn’t give you a hard time about Carol if you’d actually date other women,” Omar said. “You broke up how long ago?”

Tyler cut his eyes at Omar, who seemed to believe that if he wasn’t chasing tail every day, then he was abnormal. Guys like that couldn’t understand that it made sense to take some time for yourself after breaking up with a fiancée.

“Four months is not ancient history,” Tyler said. “Besides, Carol has nothing to do with the equation. As for Nya,” he went on, facing Mason again, “it was quite the interesting experience.”

“Tell me you didn’t blow it,” Omar said.

“Don’t you have a morning-after call to make to the woman you were with last night?” Before Omar could respond, Tyler snapped his fingers and said, “Oh, I’m forgetting. You probably didn’t even get her name.”

There were more “Oohs” and laughter from the guys.

“So you like Nya?” Mason asked, looking hopeful.

Tyler noticed that not only did Mason have a hopeful expression, but so did the other firefighters standing around him, as well. “Since when did my love life become so interesting to you all?”

“What love life?” Omar asked, and laughed.

“We’ll see what you have to say on Saturday morning,” Tyler retorted. Though his interest in Nya had nothing to do with competing with Omar’s scoreboard.

“I don’t know about the rest of you,” Tyler went on, “but I’m hungry. What’s on the menu for today?”

“Fajitas,” Mason said.

“Awesome,” Tyler said, and began to walk down the hallway that led to the common room. “I’m starving.”

In the common room, Omar and the other firefighters headed to the couches surrounding the television. Mason stopped beside Tyler, who had not joined them yet. “So, what am I supposed to tell Sabrina?”

Tyler took a few steps back into the hallway so that he and Mason could have some privacy. “Tell Nya the date’s still on.”

Mason looked intrigued. “What actually happened last night?”

Tyler told him, and when he was finished with his story, Mason was grinning from ear to ear. “Wow. She just laid one on you like that? That’s crazy.”

“Tell me about it. But I liked it. Man, she’s beautiful. And spunky. I definitely want to see her again.”

“All right. I’ll tell Sabrina.”

“Thanks. Though it’s not a real date. Apparently, Nya’s ex made a movie, and he invited us to the premiere on Friday night. I told her I’d go with her and continue playing her boyfriend to make sure that her ex knows she’s over him.”

Mason raised his eyebrows. “And how are you gonna make sure that happens?”

“Look, all I care about is getting to hang out with her again. See where it goes. So I’ll be damned if she cancels on me. You make sure to tell Sabrina that the date is still on. No ifs, ands or buts.”

* * *

“Let’s see,” Nya said as she perused the calendar on her computer screen. “There’s been a cancellation for Friday at 4:45 p.m., so I can get you in then if that works for you. As I said, that’s only a last-minute consultation, and you’ll have to see if Sabrina will be able to work with you and your schedule.”

The woman on the other end of the line thanked Nya profusely.

As Nya hung up the phone, a smile touched her lips. Business certainly was booming. The woman said she was willing to work her date around whenever Sabrina was available. Which spoke volumes about Sabrina’s popularity. At this point, Sabrina had bookings well over eighteen months in advance.

It was amazing what a little bit of publicity could do for a business. Nya knew that soon enough, Sabrina might need some help taking photos. It wasn’t the reason why she had started tinkering with photography, but she wondered if she could take some classes and get to be good enough where she could be a true partner in the business.

It wasn’t something she thought would happen anytime soon, however. She wasn’t delusional. But sometime in the future, maybe in a few years, who knew?

Hearing the sound of Sabrina’s sandals clicking against the floor, Nya turned to face her as she entered the front reception area. “I just booked you a four forty-five appointment on Friday night. It’s just a consultation, and hopefully it won’t take more than half an hour. Sorry to book an appointment so late, but the woman was desperate. If you need me to stay, I can go over packages with her and her fiancé.”

Nya relished the idea of staying late. Not just because she wanted to become more involved in the business, but also because it would give her the perfect out for her date with Tyler.

Just in case he had given Mason a hard time about it. If he had, now she could honestly say that she had work and didn’t think she would have enough time to get ready.

“We’ll see how it goes on Friday, but you could always do the consultation if you like. You know the packages I sell, and I’m sure you’ll have no problem talking to them about it.”

“I do have a feeling that the couple wants to meet you,” Nya said. “I can be here to help out, though. And to learn from the best,” she added with a smile.

“The truth is, you might not have the time.”

Nya stared at her, not understanding. “What do you mean?”

“I have a message for you from Mason. Well, I guess from Tyler, actually.”

Nya swallowed. “You do?”

“Mason talked to Tyler, and Tyler told him to tell you that the date is still on. He’s not canceling.”

“What does he mean he’s not canceling? He can’t just make an executive decision and expect me to go along.”

“Guess he wants to see you again.”

“He wants a few laughs at my expense.” Nya groaned. “What is wrong with that man? I’m already embarrassed enough by what I did last night. He doesn’t have to rub it in.”

“I’m kind of surprised you actually don’t want to go out with him.”

As Nya met her friend’s eyes, she knew why Sabrina was confused. Nya had been such a hot mess when it came to men over the past year and a half that she supposed her sudden break from dating was hard to believe.

“I meant it when I said I want to take time to become happy with myself. Ultimately, that’s what I was missing when I was dating man after man. I have to be happy with myself. I can’t find happiness in the arms of a man.”

“Yet you kissed Tyler.”

“Because Russell was right there. What was I supposed to do?”

Sabrina eyed her, a hint of amusement on her face. “Not kiss a guy and expect him to not want more.”

“You think he wants more?” Nya asked, panicked. “Is that what he told Mason?”

Sabrina didn’t answer right away, and again Nya felt a sense of panic. Did she see something mischievous in Sabrina’s eyes? Did Sabrina know something and was now trying to gauge her attitude before revealing it?

“Is that what he told Mason?” Nya repeated.

“Relax,” Sabrina told her. “Tyler didn’t say that. At least that’s not what Mason said to me.”

“Oh.” Nya shuffled uncomfortably in her seat. “Well, that’s good.” She wondered why she felt the slightest hint of disappointment.

Did she really have to wonder? Obviously, Tyler was hot. She had taken a self-imposed vow of no dating, but that didn’t mean that her attraction to men had died. It just meant that she was making sure to watch her behavior, as opposed to reacting spontaneously.

“I don’t know, Nya. You’re different. It’s hard to figure you out. A guy like Tyler... I figured he would be right up your alley.”

And he was. Which was the problem. What worried Nya about going out with him was the fact that Tyler was the type of man who could make her forget her vow. And she didn’t want to be sidetracked.

“What’s to figure out?” Nya asked. “Like I said, I’m taking a break from dating.”

“Mason did tell me to tell you that Tyler is one of the good guys.”

Nya swallowed. The words intrigued her...and yet she didn’t want to be intrigued. “You’re not telling me that Mason’s trying to play matchmaker now?”

“Just passing along a message. Something to think about.”

“Damn, I shouldn’t have kissed Tyler. He seriously expects me to go on the date Friday night? Not a date. You know what I mean.”

Sabrina gave her another amused look, which irritated Nya. Sabrina was the one who had told her that she needed to slow down when it came to dating. Now it appeared that, just because Sabrina had been bitten by the love bug, she had suddenly lost her objectivity.

“Mason was adamant. He said that Tyler’s not letting you out of it. Obviously, no one can force you to go. But why not go?”

“Looks like I don’t really have a choice,” Nya said glumly. “I used him—shamelessly—so it seems I have to deal with the consequences of my own behavior.”

“It’s just one evening. And who knows...?”

Nya gaped at Sabrina. “I can’t believe you’re saying that. You, of all people. You’re the one who was forever telling me that I needed to slow down when it came to relationships.”

“What can I say? I guess I have a bit of a soft spot for firefighters these days.”

A dreamy expression came over Sabrina’s face, and Nya knew that her mind had gone to the land of love where she and Mason lived. It was good to see her friend all gushy over a man.

“In fact, Mason and I have a solution to make Friday night not so awkward, if you’re concerned about going out with Tyler when you don’t really know him.”

“What’s that?”

“Mason was wondering if you could get two more tickets to the premiere. For us.”

Nya’s stomach lurched, and she thought she might be sick. “You want me to call Russell and ask him for two more tickets to the event?”

“I’d love to see the film. And hey, if Mason and I are there at the event with you and Tyler, it’ll be like four friends getting together.”

“Or a double date.” The idea mortified her. “You really want to see the film?”

“I was always interested in it when you first started working on it with Russell. So yeah, I’m curious. Besides, it’ll be an excuse to dress up and hang out with my man. Get him hot and bothered and then take him home...”

At least Sabrina’s words made Nya chuckle. “Wow, Mason really did unleash your inner sex goddess, didn’t he?”

“I have to say, I’m happier than I’ve ever been.”

“I believe it.”

Sabrina’s happy expression morphed into frustration when her stomach grumbled. “And I’m also hungrier than I’ve ever been,” she said. “This has been a crazy morning, but I’ve got half an hour before my next appointment. I’m gonna run out and get a bite to eat. Think about what I said, okay? Mason and I would love to go to the premiere. If it’s not too much trouble for you to contact Russell.”

Nya watched her friend disappear through the front door, wondering how things had escalated so much.

The ringing phone distracted Nya from her thoughts, and she got back to work.

Fifteen minutes later, the phone had stopped ringing, so Nya opened up her email. She still knew Russell’s email address, as it hadn’t been hard to forget. She logged on and typed it in.

Then she paused, not sure what to write.

As the minutes ticked by, she wondered why this was such a hard task. “Get a grip, and get over it.”

She drafted Russell an email, asking if two more tickets were available for the event. And as she did, she started to feel better about things. Instead of seeing Friday night as a double date, she started to see it as an opportunity to be with her best friend. Having Sabrina there would lessen the pressure and make it less like a date between her and Tyler. She certainly didn’t have to stick by Tyler’s side when there were more people there. Tyler could hang with Mason, and she could hang with Sabrina. If Russell was nearby, Nya would make sure to play lovey-dovey with Tyler, but otherwise she could hang with Sabrina.

Yes, it was a great idea to have Sabrina and Mason go along with them. Plus, if she was asking Russell for more tickets, he certainly couldn’t believe she was still hung up on him. It was more proof—she hoped, anyway—that she was firmly over him.

Nya sent the message off to Russell as Sabrina breezed back in. She looked harried.

“You really ought to take an hour for yourself. Have a proper lunch, unwind a bit.”

Sabrina shook her head as she sipped the last bit of orange juice from a plastic cup. “I don’t have the time.”

“You know you have to slow down sooner or later. You don’t want to disappoint Mason.”

Sabrina, who had already passed the reception desk en route to her studio, paused to look over her shoulder. “Oh, Mason’s far from disappointed.” She winked.

As her friend disappeared, Nya couldn’t help feeling a slight sense of wistfulness. Not since Russell had she felt a true electric charge for someone, that sense of excitement and fulfillment that Sabrina was experiencing now.

And despite Nya’s resolve to say single, there was a small part of her that still craved that sense of belonging to someone.

There was still a part of her that craved finding Mr. Right.