Fighting the Flames (Firefighter Romance #1)(9)

The flashing light and vibration woke her up. Glancing over at her cell, she read: Still up for lunch?

Damn. Jessie never intended to go back to sleep. After breakfast, she watched some stupid movie and must have dozed off. It was already eleven o’clock and she was still in her pajamas. Quickly she replied: Running late. Can we make it later?

Why was she acting like this was a first date? She could just throw on some jeans and a top and he would never know the difference. Her phone buzzed: Okay, forget lunch, how about drinks at 5?

Drinks, just what she didn’t need. But she could catch up on a few more zzz’s. Gratefully, she replied: Sounds good, let me know where.



The parking lot was mostly empty except for a few pickup trucks parked haphazardly. She didn’t see Derrick’s Camry, even though she was late herself. Was Derrick going to flake on her?

She tapped the button on her phone to check the time and noticed a text: Gonna be a little late, just get a seat and order for us. You know what I like.

She smiled. One thing she loved about Derrick was that he was seldom late and when he was, he’d go out of his way to make sure she wasn’t waiting and wondering what the hell happened. The thought halted her. Derrick had so many good qualities, no wonder she had been so crazy about him.

As she opened the front door, the aroma of beer hit her first. The carpet seemed to stick to her feet as she walked in and the tables looked as though they came out of a Salvation Army surplus store. It took her eyes a few moments to adjust to the darkness inside, but she noticed the bar and brightly lit stage with a band setting up.

What a dump.

There were metal folding chairs that looked like the ones her mother used for the kid’s table at holiday time. Mixed in with them are worn wooden chairs of various sizes. Stained with water rings some tabletops had napkins under a metal leg or two to stabilize them.

Beginning to think Derrick was playing a cruel joke on her, she figured she’d play along.

Jessie found a table in the far corner, the only one with most of the upholstery still intact. As soon as she sat down, a slightly overweight, middle-aged woman with too much blue eye shadow came up to the table.

“Happy hour is over at six, honey. Are you going to eat, or just have drinks?”

“I’m waiting for a friend, but if you can bring two beers to start, that would be awesome.”

Jessie wasn’t sure why the waitress pulled out her order pad. She was the only customer in the place, surely she could remember two beers.

“What kind of beer do you want? We only have the Panty Dropper Pale Ale on happy hour. The Kingco Brewery downtown makes it especially for us. I like it, but we have other beers if you prefer.”

“That’ll be fine, but why do they call it Panty Dropper?” Jessie asked, starting to enjoy the quirkiness of this place and the honest friendliness of the waitress.

“Well, to be honest I’m not sure. Some new guys are buying this place, so maybe they’ll change the name, but you have to admit, you will remember it.”

Suddenly the setting sun let a bright beam of light through the front door hitting Jessie right in the eyes as soon as the door opened. It took a few seconds for the light-blindness to leave her eyes. Jessie looked around, wondering if she should move tables to avoid another sun smack down when she noticed Derrick walking cautiously down the slight incline to the table.

“Derrick” she called out, not sure he saw her yet.

“There you are. I thought at first you got pissed off since you didn’t acknowledge my text.”

Shit. He’s right.

“I’m sorry Derrick, you know I’m bad with that shit. I was a little late myself and thought maybe you left when I wasn’t on time.”


“Jessie, I know you better than that, and I am honestly surprised you weren’t even later. But, forget about that. What did you order?”

“A couple of Panty Droppers.” Jessie answered, somewhat embarrassed. “Sounded good and they are two for one, so if they suck, it won’t be a total loss.”

“I love me them panty dropping.” Derrick replied deviously.

She ignored him and got to the point. “Derrick, why this place? I mean, it’s a dump. Is this a subtle hint?”

“Jessie, you have it all wrong. I’m still in love with you.” He looked serious. “I thought you dumped me. Had I known you were coming back, I wouldn’t have even thought about seeing other women. You’re the one I want to be with.”

She wondered if, in this dim lighting, he could see the doubt cross her face. Apparently not, because he continued, “The girl from yesterday; she was a fling. A rebound f*ck. I don’t know how to explain it. I was depressed, she was convenient. It’s nothing more. In fact, I told her we couldn’t continue this anymore.”

Jessie said nothing and he went on. “Oh, and why this place? I’m the new owner. Well, at least if the loan from the bank comes through.”

“I… I don’t know what to say.” She barely got the words out. “You don’t know the first thing about the bar business do you? I mean other than visiting them.”

A smile crossed his face. “No, I don’t know much about running one, but PJ said he would help and he’s helped his father run his bar since he was a kid. I just wanted to surprise you. I know yesterday doesn’t help my case, but I need you to know I’ve changed. I’m ready to settle down. I want a family… kids. But more than anything, I want to have those kids with you.”