Page 26 of Falling for the Grinchy Bad Boy

“Deadly,” Chief said. Then his mouth quirked in something almost like a smile. “So make it work. Even if you hate Christmas. And apparently the new director of the festival.”

“That’s a long story, Chief.”

He chuckled. “Aren’t they all? We’ve all got stories from the past. Don’t let this one write your future.”

“I won’t. Thank you.”

I found myself in the radio room not long after, leaning in the doorway while my sister reclined in her chair, headset askew, wearing her usual Calton Hill Fire Department T-shirt, cargo pants, and slippers.

“Kat,” I said.

She spun around in her chair. “Why do you sound like a man who just stepped in reindeer crap? Oh wait, you always sound like that.”

“Do you know what Chief just did to me?”

Her brows lifted. “You finally got assigned to bring cookies to the bake sale? No, let me guess, you have to throw candy at the parade.”

“Worse. I’m the official Yuletide Fest safety officer.”

She frowned. “What the hell is that?”

“Exactly what it sounds like. I will be making sure there are no incidents at the many events this town insists on having during December. Why can’t we just be normal and light up a damn tree?”

“Relax, it’s not that bad.”

“I haven’t told you the best part.”

Her eyes lit with excitement. “Oh, please tell me you have to wear an elf costume.”

“Burn in hell.”

“What? What is so bad about doing your job? No one is asking you to hand out gifts or sing.”

“Joy fucking Murphy!”

She frowned. “What about her?”

“She’s the chick doing all the events! I have to coordinate safety with her!”

There was a beat of silence. Then she burst out laughing so hard her headset slid off. “Oh my God. Ohhhh my God. This is better than Christmas morning.”

I scowled. “Glad you’re enjoying my misery.”

She wiped tears from her eyes, still grinning. “The guy who hates Christmas more than Scrooge, now in charge of keeping it safe with my old best friend that for whatever reason you hate? This is going to be fun.”

“Fun, my ass,” I muttered, pacing. “You know how many ridiculous emergencies happen during this season? People lighting candles under paper snowflakes. Extension cords strung through puddles. I’ll be chasing chaos twenty-four-seven.”

“Chaos keeps you young.”

I rolled my eyes. “Chaos gives gray hair. I’m too young to be gray.”

“At least you’re working with someone you know. You and Joy go way back.”

“Easier?” I gawked. “Joy is a chaos magnet. She nearly smoked out an entire cafeteria on day one. And now I’m supposed to keep her from burning the town down while Christmas carols play in the background. What could possibly go wrong?”

She folded her arms, eyes glinting. “Everything. Which means it’s going to be hilarious. I, for one, cannot wait.”

I groaned, dragging a hand down my face. Lieutenant promotion or not, this was going to be the longest holiday season of my life.