Mia’s heart was still racing hours after the fire alarm shattered her evening. The small electrical fire in the building’s basement had been contained quickly, but smoke had filled the hallways. She remembered strong arms lifting her when her legs gave out from coughing, a deep voice murmuring, “I’ve got you, sweetheart. Just breathe.”
That firefighter, broad-shouldered and impossibly calm had carried her down three flights of stairs like she weighed nothing.
Now, at 11:30 PM, a firm knock sounded on her temporary hotel room door. Mia opened it wearing an oversized t-shirt and shorts, still smelling faintly of smoke.
The firefighter stood there in full uniform. His dark hair was damp with sweat. The name on his jacket read “CAPTAIN R. HALE.”
“Miss Bennett, I wanted to check on you pers
