“Come on, Miss Connor,” Jake called from the bottom of the pole. “Slide down.”

Jake had been trying to talk me into sliding down his pole ever since the first day we’d met during the field trip. And while I’d taken countless rides on the firefighter, this was the first time he’d convinced me to try the real deal.

“Come on, Mommy.”

Jake was on duty tonight, so George and I were spending the night at his apartment above the station. It was a routine we’d fallen into over the past few months, splitting our time between my place and his. It was incredible how easily all the pieces had fallen into place.

George loved the nights we stayed at the station, helping Jake clean the trucks, sitting behind the wheel of the big tanker, the two of them pretending to race to fires.

George swore he was going to be a fireman just like Jake when he grew up and the more I got to know Jake, the more deeply I fell in love with him, the more I hoped George did grow up to be just like him.

I peered down through the hole, but I couldn’t see George or Jake.

“I thought you were going to catch me,” I called down.

“You’re not going to fall, sweetheart. Just grab tight to the pole and slide down. We both know you’re a natural at it.”

I giggled, grateful George didn’t understand the true meaning behind Jake’s words.

“Okay, but if I fall…”

I gripped the pole, wrapped one leg around it, held my breath, closed my eyes, then slid.

When I opened them again, I was on the ground. I saw George, standing next to Jake, who was down on one knee, holding up an engagement ring. Both of them were beaming, co-conspirators in the surprise.

I gasped. “Jake,” I started.

“Marry me, Miss Connor. Save me from this miserable life of bachelorhood.”

I laughed. “I thought you liked being a bachelor.”

Jake narrowed his eyes, but continued. “Give me a five-year-old son with…” Jake looked over and started describing George, who was cracking up at the joke. “With blond hair, blue eyes, a red-striped shirt, blue jeans, a scuffed elbow, and two?”

George shook his head and held up three fingers.

“Three,” Jake corrected, “missing teeth.”

I walked over to them, my gaze taking in the beautiful ring even as his words made me giggle, made me happier than I’d ever been in my life.

“I can’t live without you,” he continued.

I knelt in front of Jake, reaching over to wrap my arm around George, who leaned toward me, urging me to agree.

“Say yes, Mommy.”

“Yes,” I whispered, trying not to cry. Jake slid the ring on my finger, bending forward to kiss me. Then he stood, helping me up, as George let out a loud hoot. The two of them did a high five, acting as if they’d just won the Super Bowl.

“We did it, little man! We surprised her.”

George bounced with glee. “Can I call you Daddy now?”

It was a heartfelt request that took Jake and me down hard. I was a goner as I felt the first happy tear slide. I didn’t miss the way Jake had to swallow hard, then clear his throat before he could manage to say, “There’s nothing I’d like more, Georgie.”

“Can I tell Ike you’re getting married?” George asked.

We both nodded as George darted back to the bunk room, where Ike was repairing one of the beds.

Jake reached for me, giving me the kiss we both wanted. It was deep and long and passionate.

When we parted, we shared a smile. “Happy…” He paused a second before adding, “Mrs. Garrett?”

I loved the sound of that.

And him.

“Deliriously so…Big Hose.”

I’ve got a big pro football contract, a big appetite for women, and a big mouth. It gets me into trouble more often than not, but this time it lands me with a nerdy little PR gatekeeper who is supposed to control me.

But good luck with that. Eloise and her kitten sweaters and sexy as hell glasses have me ready to use my mouth in a whole different way…

I’m not your typical nerd girl. Instead of video games, I love football. I’ve landed my dream job managing social media for my favorite team, but with Dakota North as quarterback it’s a 24/7 job.

When I’m told I have to spend a week making sure Dak doesn’t tweet, he seems hell-bent on using that time to flirt with me. I have to ask myself, what is more important- losing my virginity to a bad-ass quarterback or keeping my perfect job?