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As Jackson courteously held the door open for Liv, his gaze lingered for a moment on her figure as she gracefully stepped through the entrance. The warm colors of the diner's interior enveloped both of them as they entered.
Inside the Waverly Junction Diner, the atmosphere was lively. The soft glow of overhead lights cast a gentle warmth over the space, while the booths and tables were adorned with flickering LED candles.
The air was filled with the tantalizing smells of sizzling steaks and bubbling stew, mingling with freshly baked bread and roasted vegetables. The hostess guided Jackson and Liv to a booth near the windows, where they could see the last rays of the setting sun. As they settled into their seats, both began to unwind in each other's company. The murmurs of conversations surrounded them.
“So, yes to the fire academy, huh?” Jackson raised an eyebrow.
She nodded, a hint of excitement dancing in her eyes. “Yeah, it's something I've been wanting to do for a while now. Decided to go for it, thanks to you. I was stunned my boss thought it was a good idea.”
“That's great.” He grinned. “I didn’t do anything other than make the offer. You have to do the work, but I gather you have time. Are you a vacation time hoarder?”
She chuckled, tapping her fingers against the table. “I've been saving it up for a reason. Ready to dive into this.” I hope.
Their conversation lulled momentarily, both lost in their thoughts until Jackson gently broached a sensitive topic. “Liv. About your dad...”
Olivia's breath hitched, her gaze dropping to her hands folded on the table.
Jackson's eyes held hers, his voice filled with empathy. “I remember the joint funeral. Your mom holding your dad's helmet, and you and your sisters by her side.”
She swallowed hard, the emotions flooding back. “I was just a little girl then. Didn't really understand much. I carried a lot with me.”
“At the burn center dedication, I wish I’d said something more,” Jackson admitted, his tone tinged with regret. “I have some video you may want to see.”
Olivia sighed, but understanding brushed over her features. “I went to see my mom. She gave me a binder of clippings to share with you. Talking to my mom made me realize... I was just a little girl trying to make sense of the loss.”
Emotions bubbled to the surface, and Jackson reached out to take her hand as she continued, “I didn’t realize how hard it was for her to hear I wanted to go through the academy. It brought everything back for her. I didn’t mean to hurt her.”
His touch was tender as he wiped away her tears. His gesture tingled her skin. Attraction surged between them, a pull neither could ignore.
Olivia's pulse sped up as she glanced down at her plate, her fingers curling around a fry. The familiarity of dipping it into ketchup provided a momentary distraction, but when she glanced up, she caught Jackson's gaze fixed on her. Was it her imagination, or were his eyes lingering on her mouth?
She bit into the fry, the crunch drowning out the rush of thoughts in her mind. Yet, in that moment, a realization dawned on her: it was rare for her to feel attracted to a man. Relationships weren't her priority, and while an occasional fling wasn’t out of the question, dating required effort and dedication.
Her parents were proof of a genuine relationship. They worked on their love through highs and lows. Her mother made sure she and her sisters knew how strong their marriage was. Olivia admired that commitment.
She grew wistful as she told Jackson, “My mom said people would say it was evident they were partners in every sense of the word. They both had careers. He worked with her to manage her job, his job and us,” Liv chuckled. “My parents met at the local hospital when my father, a young firefighter, was brought in after sustaining minor injuries during a rescue mission. She was there taking a police report. My mom said, despite the chaos of the emergency room, their eyes met, and the rest, as they say, was history.
“They always made time for each other and for us. They prioritized open communication, honesty, and mutual respect in their relationship. They always presented a united front. And if they weren’t in agreement, we never knew. One of them always made it to our school events, cheering us on at sports games, or simply sharing a quiet moment together at the end of a long day. My mom said they made sure to cherish the moments they had together, no matter how fleeting.” She sniffed and swept a tear away. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” He smiled softly.
Jackson Reynolds seemed different, someone she could share pieces of herself with. His presence felt like a comforting blanket. She wondered what was beneath his cool exterior as a flicker of desire touched her core. She met his gaze again, finding warmth in his eyes. It was as if he understood what she was quietly offering: an invitation to dig deeper.
Their shared history pulled at her heart. Olivia felt the urge to lean in toward him but hesitated when she was abruptly interrupted by a sudden crash echoing from the kitchen, the clatter of a dropped tray and crashing plates. Both reacted, ready to respond to whatever the kitchen emergency was.
Their shared glance conveyed an unspoken agreement to handle the situation, followed by amusement. They burst into laughter and decided no intervention was necessary. Both managed to finish their meals.
After they settled the check, Jackson walked Olivia to her car, the evening air carrying a hint of crispness. In the glow of the parking lot, she pulled her key fob from her pocket, unlocking the car door. Before she could react, she felt Jackson's presence close behind her. He leaned in, planting a gentle kiss on her cheek, catching her off guard.
“Goodnight, Livvy,” he murmured with a wink, a warmth lingering in his voice before he turned and made his way toward his department-issued vehicle.
Olivia stood there for a moment. His unexpected kiss left a trail of longing. She touched her cheek where his lips had briefly met her skin, still feeling their warmth and softness.
Slipping into the driver's seat, she couldn't shake off the feelings that accompanied the unexpected goodbye. She glanced at Jackson, watching him as he prepared to leave.
She started the car, a faint smile tugging at her lips. He waved as he drove past her.
