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“But–”
“Ah….” I raise my hand to stop him.
“I’m sorry.” He chuckles and lifts my hand to his lips, kissing my knuckles and dropping my hand back to his lap.
“Thank you.” After readjusting on the bed, I start again, “I’m quitting my job and moving back home. I’m going to work at Blanche’s until I get another PA job. I’ve found and applied to a few promising ones online. And with Mr. Burke’s reference, I should have no issues getting one of the positions.”
“Have you told him? I hate to see you give up something you love, and I already have a job lined up at Station 3 and told Chief Monroe that I’m leaving.” His big brown eyes make my heart swoon. He would give up everything for me.
“Then tell him you lost your mind for a moment. No, I haven’t told Mr. Burke, but I don’t see how he can be upset. He knows how important my family is to me, and he thought you were a decent guy.”
“Decent?” He sits back on the mattress with a shocked expression on his face. “I’m better than decent.”
I laugh at his expression and then wince when pain surges through my chest. Don’t forget you were just in an accident. My laughter trails off, but that does nothing to dampen the knowledge that I’m going home to this amazing guy. Life can’t get any better than this. Except my car is a mess, and I still need to let my boss know of my change in plans.
“Shit.” He lets go of my hand and grasps my upper arm. “Are you okay?”
“Yes.” I relax against the pillow. “I’m fine. I just laughed too hard for my sore ribs.”
“Harbor, your man is better than decent. And I would love to give you a glowing reference, but I’m not.” Mr. Burke slides the half-open door wider as he steps into the glass fronted room.
Crap. My heart drops to my stomach. “Mr. Burke, I’m so sorry you heard that secondhand. I was on my way to tell you today but ended up getting crashed into during a traffic jam.” I lick my lips as Cole scrambles to his feet to face my boss. Ex-boss. Soon to be ex-boss.
Ex-boss. Now that he’s heard the news, I’m out. And with no reference.
I clear my throat. “I’ve loved working for you.”
“Good.” He straightens his back and stands larger than life in the corner of the room. “I was going to tell you about my new proposition when you made it into work today, but instead, I had to track you down here.”
I wrinkle my nose. “And how exactly did you get in here?” That’s stupid. I roll my eyes. “Forget I asked that question.” This is the hospital to which he donated the funds to build a cancer wing. He probably has a Get in Free card to anywhere in the building.
“Josephine and I visited Meadow Bay this weekend and purchased a large villa outside of town.”
“The Remington Place?” Cole asks as he rubs my shoulder.
“Yes, that’s the place. It’s gorgeous and perfect for us. We’ve decided after going public that we need a more private place to live and raise our children. Josephine was intrigued by how you talked about Meadow Bay the night you visited, and we instantly fell in love with the place. We’ll be moving there in three weeks and only coming to San Francisco for events.”
Holy cow. My mouth is wide open until I snap it back shut. “I wasn’t expecting that to be what you said when I put in my two weeks’ notice.”
He drops his chin down and studies me. “Dear, I knew the second you came back after homecoming weekend that you had one foot out the door, and conveniently, I’ve had my fill of smog and bumper to bumper traffic.”
I shudder as the screeching sound of metal hitting metal infiltrates my brain.
“Pip.” Cole leans down and kisses the top of my head. “You’re safe. Everything’s okay.”
I look up at him and drown in his eyes. “Is that the voice you use to get cats out of trees?”
“Of course.” He grins and winks. “It works every time.” No wonder he’s so good at his job. He rescues animals and people and then soothes their anxiety at the same time.
“Cole Thornburg, you are not quitting the fire station. Harbor is moving back home.” Layla, Kameron, and Connor burst through the door.
“How did you all get in here?” Cole’s forehead is wrinkled as he stares at them.
Connor pumps his biceps and pecs. “How do you think we got in here?”
“Please.” I roll my eyes but can’t help but feel the love of my family and friends. How lucky can one woman get?
“Seriously,” Cole growls. “You flex your pecs and get in? Was it the lady at the front desk?”
