Flames of Passion

“What—you think it couldn’t happen?” Tyler countered.

“Hey, if you’ve finally put Carol in the rearview mirror...” Mason patted him on the shoulder.

“Oh, come on,” Tyler protested. “Not the Carol lecture again.”

“We wouldn’t give you a hard time about Carol if you’d actually date other women,” Omar said. “You broke up how long ago?”

Tyler cut his eyes at Omar, who seemed to believe that if he wasn’t chasing tail every day, then he was abnormal. Guys like that couldn’t understand that it made sense to take some time for yourself after breaking up with a fiancée.

“Four months is not ancient history,” Tyler said. “Besides, Carol has nothing to do with the equation. As for Nya,” he went on, facing Mason again, “it was quite the interesting experience.”

“Tell me you didn’t blow it,” Omar said.

“Don’t you have a morning-after call to make to the woman you were with last night?” Before Omar could respond, Tyler snapped his fingers and said, “Oh, I’m forgetting. You probably didn’t even get her name.”

There were more “Oohs” and laughter from the guys.

“So you like Nya?” Mason asked, looking hopeful.

Tyler noticed that not only did Mason have a hopeful expression, but so did the other firefighters standing around him, as well. “Since when did my love life become so interesting to you all?”

“What love life?” Omar asked, and laughed.

“We’ll see what you have to say on Saturday morning,” Tyler retorted. Though his interest in Nya had nothing to do with competing with Omar’s scoreboard.

“I don’t know about the rest of you,” Tyler went on, “but I’m hungry. What’s on the menu for today?”

“Fajitas,” Mason said.

“Awesome,” Tyler said, and began to walk down the hallway that led to the common room. “I’m starving.”

In the common room, Omar and the other firefighters headed to the couches surrounding the television. Mason stopped beside Tyler, who had not joined them yet. “So, what am I supposed to tell Sabrina?”

Tyler took a few steps back into the hallway so that he and Mason could have some privacy. “Tell Nya the date’s still on.”

Mason looked intrigued. “What actually happened last night?”

Tyler told him, and when he was finished with his story, Mason was grinning from ear to ear. “Wow. She just laid one on you like that? That’s crazy.”

“Tell me about it. But I liked it. Man, she’s beautiful. And spunky. I definitely want to see her again.”

“All right. I’ll tell Sabrina.”

“Thanks. Though it’s not a real date. Apparently, Nya’s ex made a movie, and he invited us to the premiere on Friday night. I told her I’d go with her and continue playing her boyfriend to make sure that her ex knows she’s over him.”

Mason raised his eyebrows. “And how are you gonna make sure that happens?”

“Look, all I care about is getting to hang out with her again. See where it goes. So I’ll be damned if she cancels on me. You make sure to tell Sabrina that the date is still on. No ifs, ands or buts.”

* * *

“Let’s see,” Nya said as she perused the calendar on her computer screen. “There’s been a cancellation for Friday at 4:45 p.m., so I can get you in then if that works for you. As I said, that’s only a last-minute consultation, and you’ll have to see if Sabrina will be able to work with you and your schedule.”

The woman on the other end of the line thanked Nya profusely.

As Nya hung up the phone, a smile touched her lips. Business certainly was booming. The woman said she was willing to work her date around whenever Sabrina was available. Which spoke volumes about Sabrina’s popularity. At this point, Sabrina had bookings well over eighteen months in advance.

It was amazing what a little bit of publicity could do for a business. Nya knew that soon enough, Sabrina might need some help taking photos. It wasn’t the reason why she had started tinkering with photography, but she wondered if she could take some classes and get to be good enough where she could be a true partner in the business.

It wasn’t something she thought would happen anytime soon, however. She wasn’t delusional. But sometime in the future, maybe in a few years, who knew?

Hearing the sound of Sabrina’s sandals clicking against the floor, Nya turned to face her as she entered the front reception area. “I just booked you a four forty-five appointment on Friday night. It’s just a consultation, and hopefully it won’t take more than half an hour. Sorry to book an appointment so late, but the woman was desperate. If you need me to stay, I can go over packages with her and her fiancé.”

Nya relished the idea of staying late. Not just because she wanted to become more involved in the business, but also because it would give her the perfect out for her date with Tyler.

Just in case he had given Mason a hard time about it. If he had, now she could honestly say that she had work and didn’t think she would have enough time to get ready.

“We’ll see how it goes on Friday, but you could always do the consultation if you like. You know the packages I sell, and I’m sure you’ll have no problem talking to them about it.”

“I do have a feeling that the couple wants to meet you,” Nya said. “I can be here to help out, though. And to learn from the best,” she added with a smile.

“The truth is, you might not have the time.”

Nya stared at her, not understanding. “What do you mean?”

“I have a message for you from Mason. Well, I guess from Tyler, actually.”

Nya swallowed. “You do?”

“Mason talked to Tyler, and Tyler told him to tell you that the date is still on. He’s not canceling.”

“What does he mean he’s not canceling? He can’t just make an executive decision and expect me to go along.”

“Guess he wants to see you again.”

“He wants a few laughs at my expense.” Nya groaned. “What is wrong with that man? I’m already embarrassed enough by what I did last night. He doesn’t have to rub it in.”

“I’m kind of surprised you actually don’t want to go out with him.”

As Nya met her friend’s eyes, she knew why Sabrina was confused. Nya had been such a hot mess when it came to men over the past year and a half that she supposed her sudden break from dating was hard to believe.

“I meant it when I said I want to take time to become happy with myself. Ultimately, that’s what I was missing when I was dating man after man. I have to be happy with myself. I can’t find happiness in the arms of a man.”

“Yet you kissed Tyler.”

“Because Russell was right there. What was I supposed to do?”

Sabrina eyed her, a hint of amusement on her face. “Not kiss a guy and expect him to not want more.”