Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 49294 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 246(@200wpm)___ 197(@250wpm)___ 164(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49294 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 246(@200wpm)___ 197(@250wpm)___ 164(@300wpm)
“You’re absolutely right,” I respond. My therapy session after work today gave me a lot of clarity. More than I expected. I also opened up more, accepted more than she’s ever said. I’m not sure the reasoning behind all of it. I’ll pick it apart later. I’m pretty certain it has something to do with a handsome firefighter who isn’t afraid to show affection any time day or night.
“Okay, Momma Catherine, this is your cue to question her. I’m at an utter loss of words.” Minnie is still sitting there, chin propped up on the palm of her hand, looking shocked.
“I’m not questioning this. Are you crazy?” she answers. They’re still on their way back home, taking the long way and stopping even more than Minnie did when she headed out to set off on her journey.
“I’m not,” I say with a smile on my face. I’m finding I’m doing that a whole lot more these days, too.
“Well, no, we better not,” Minnie agrees. A notification pops up while we’re chatting away.
“Hold on, guys, Asher is texting me.” They continue talking, Minnie mostly asking about where their next stop will be and where they should go that she absolutely loved. I’m pretty sure they’ve taken completely different routes, but I know that won’t stop the Johnsons from detouring.
While I slide out of the group call, the screen goes dark on their side, and they can’t see the goofy grin I’m sure is spread across my face as I click on the notification.
Asher: Back at the station. Thinking it’s going to be a long night with the calls we’ve been getting today.
He’s texted me here and there throughout the day, asking how my day was going, making sure I made it home from work. In between we’d ask each other questions. The basics, like favorite meals, hobbies, and the likes. Asher is a meat and potatoes kind of guy, preferring grilled ribeye, baked potatoes, and can go for a wedge salad, too. His hobby is more or less either working at the fire station or with Jagged Edge Builders, and he unwinds with his friends. All nine of them together. My eyes about popped out of their sockets when I read that text on my break. I’m the complete opposite, preferring the solitude of a few friends, a habit from my past. I didn’t have time for friendships, was too busy working and raising my sister, and when I was married, I worked, came home, and spent time with Zach, or tried to, at least. Somewhere along the way, I lost bits and pieces of myself. I told him my favorite meal as well, preferring soup, like baked potato, broccoli cheddar, chicken noodle, any and all with a thick grilled cheese sandwich on the side. My hobby being reading, but I really want to start doing something else as well. Maybe knitting or embroidery. That was the end of our discussion seeing as I got a one-word response: call.
Me: Is it always this busy?
Asher: Yeah, we’ve been helping the other stations further out. It’s been a bitch. You make it home alright?
Me: Yeah, currently in bed, talking to Minnie and Catherine.
He doesn’t answer right away, probably settling in for some downtime, so I go back to the video call.
“About time. Geesh.” Minnie laughs.
“Leave the poor girl alone. I’m pretty sure you had uninterrupted time in your new relationship.” Catherine winks. I don’t think snow will help our case here in Florida. It’s going to be up to us to figure things out between his schedule and mine.
“Yeah, yeah.”
“Okay, so there’s still the giant elephant in the room. I need to tell him the reason of my divorce, right?” I already know the answer to this question. I’ve told my therapist today I needed to. She agreed, and now I’m asking for some kind of reassurance.
“Absolutely,” Catherine states.
“Yes, and please report back with a picture.” I roll my eyes at Minnie. She’s been asking me for one since Catherine stated my new neighbor is hot, dragging the ‘t’ at the end.
“Sure, I’ll get right on that. Should I just ask him and say my crazy sister is demanding a picture where she’ll probably run a full background check on you, or should I wait to do it while he’s sleeping? Because you know that’s not creepy or anything.” She’s being ridiculous.
“That’s not a bad idea. Send me his first and last name. Better yet, don’t even worry about it. I can do a search on his address, grab his name from the property appraiser’s website, and do a little more digging myself.” Okay, now she’s bordering on needing help.
“Where’s Clay? He needs to calm your ass down. His name is Asher Fontaine. Look him up on social media, but do not try and be a part of a three-letter government agency. He’s a firefighter, a freaking hands-on uncle, and other things that you’re not privy to. I trusted you with Clay. Please trust me.”