Bailey (Angel Institute #3)

Chapter 15

Fifteen

BAILEY

I ’m late.

I should have been at the Inn an hour ago, but I slept so well after eating Galdys’s soup and knowing that she was on the couch that my alarm didn’t stand a chance.

The other contestants are already hard at work. They wave or call hello. I smile back at them. Usually, I’d be on edge, hyper-aware of every glance or comment from the other contestants. But today feels different. The conversation with Gladys last night has left me feeling more open and more positive. I’m going to be sad when the contest ends, and I don’t see these people every day.

Logan isn’t here. His station looks abandoned and messy. He’s probably sleeping or being a firefighter. Either way, I miss him. I missed him yesterday, too. I frown. Is being gone going to affect his performance in the contest? Judging is only two days away, and he’s not even close to being done. I want to win, but not because the standing champion had to rescue an old man trapped by the snow.

The doors open, and I turn around, hoping for Logan. It’s him alright—in full firefighter uniform glory and goodness. My my my, but he’s yummy in suspenders .

My breath catches, and my stomach swoops to the high ceiling and back down again.

The navy blue shirt stretches across his broad shoulders, and even from a distance, I can see the warmth in his green eyes as they meet mine.

“Morning, Bailey,” he says as he approaches, his voice carrying a hint of huskiness that sends a shiver down my spine.

“Morning. What are you doing here?” I lift my eyebrows and look pointedly at the insignia on his shirt.

He smiles. “I have to work, but I wanted to check in on you.”

He wanted to check on me.. Sigh. That’s really nice of him like, super nice and the kind of thing a friend would do. Or a boyfriend. But Logan’s not my boyfriend—even if I kind of wish he was.

I hug myself, because I don’t think I should hug him in front of everyone who is watching us, even though they’re trying not to let us see that they are staring. “Didn’t you work yesterday?” I ask. It’s then that I realize my true question is, when can I see him again?

His smile falters. “Yesterday, I volunteered for an extra shift. Today is my regular shift.”

Here I am peppering him with questions about his schedule, and it probably sounds so removed. “Good. This place isn’t the same without you,” I tell him.

He shifts his weight, standing more confidently. I thrill with the thought that my words mean something to him.

I offer him a small smile, not even bothering to tamper the flutter in my stomach. “How are things looking out there? You’re safe?”

One side of his mouth lifts in a crooked grin. “I’m safe.” He bobs his head for a second before realizing I’m still waiting for a report. “The storm did a number on the town, though. I’ll be spending the day helping residents dig out and making sure the elderly have heat.”

His dedication to the community makes my heart swell with admiration. “I’m sure everyone appreciates your help.”

He shrugs, a modest smile playing on his lips. “It’s all part of the job. But hey, how are you doing? Are you okay after the other night?”

The memory of our conversation in the dark, of his hand in mine as we fell asleep, brings warmth to my cheeks. “I’m good,” I assure him. “Thank you for checking in on me.” First Gladys and now Logan. I’m surprised at how touched I am by their concern and care. It makes me feel at home here.

Logan’s smile widens, and for a moment, I’m lost in the depth of his gaze. Then, with a small nod, he turns to leave. “I’ll see you later.”

I watch him walk away, unable to tear my eyes from his retreating form. Goodness, those uniforms are as impressive going as they are coming.

When I finally turn back to my station, Olivia is grinning at me like I just won the Pillsbury Bake-off. She squeals and hops over the tape line and into my station. “That was the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen.” She beams.

I close my eyes, my cheeks turning red. When I can’t stand the heat anymore, I cover my face.

She laughs and tugs my hands away. “Why are you hiding? Logan’s a great guy, and you two have chemistry.”

“What do you know about chemistry?” I swat at her. “You’re an art teacher.”

She laughs and dances out of reach. “I know enough to know you two have it. Are you guys dating?”

I shake my head, remembering what Logan said about our kiss being unprofessional. “With the contest and everything…” I trail off, not wanting to talk about what happened between us on the sidewalk or how I’ve fallen even deeper for him since then.

Olivia’s face falls. “I mean … I’d throw this whole contest out the window for one of those firefighters.”

“Really?” I lift one eyebrow. “Axel, perhaps?”

Her mouth falls open. “What? Ew! No. He’s my brother’s best friend. I’ve known him my whole life, and trust me, under all his muscles is a skinny mathlete who put peanut butter in my hair.”

It’s my turn to drop my jaw.

She flips her hair over her shoulder. “He wishes.” She walks away, her chin lifted.

I snort a laugh. Wow. There’s a lot going on there. I quickly busy myself with my design and avoid making eye contact with her for a while, so I don’t have to say things out loud about Logan that I’m just starting to put together in my head.

I hang a large, gilded frame on the wall behind and off to the side of my tree. I’ve created three giant ornaments that I’m going to hang from a ribbon so that they’re inside of the frame. It’s a 3D effect that’s out of the box. I’m really proud of this plan. One of the ornaments has stripes, the other is checkered, and the last is plain. As I carefully hang a hand-painted ornament, I catch my reflection on its shiny surface. The person looking back at me seems different somehow—softer, more open.

I smile, and she smiles back. The effect is noticeable, and I like her.

She’s not who I was before my ex. She’s not who I became because of the pain and betrayal he brought into my life. She’s new.

I can’t wait to get to know her. My stomach rumbles, and I realize it’s after three. I’ve been here all day, and the only thing I’ve eaten was oatmeal. I need some food. I ask around to see if anyone else wants something.

“I’m having an early dinner with my wife, but thank you,” says Marcus.

“I ate half a batch of cookies,” Olivia says with a look of regret.

“I had a late lunch.” Evelyn rubs her stomach with a frown. “Thank you for offering. Enjoy.” She waves as I leave.

When I step out of the hotel, I don’t feel like going home. Instead, I make my way to the cafe that always smells so good. I swear they pump air from their baking ovens right into the street. Today’s as good a day as any to try something new.