{Kayla}

End of summer

“And since we’ve combined the BIFD’s purchases with the diner’s, we’ve cut ten percent off the food costs.” I point at the chart I’m presenting to the Board of Directors for the Seattle Firefighter’s Association. I was nervous when I started, but now that I’m at the end of my presentation, I feel great. My confidence is through the roof, thanks to my schooling. That and Jake. I couldn’t have done this without that crazy man of mine.

“But that’s only three percent of the overhead we asked you to cut,” one of the board members points out. He’s the epitome of the crusty accountant, only worried about the bottom line. Up until a month before graduation, he’s exactly the sort of guy I thought I wanted. But then my friends stepped in and made that ridiculous deal with Jake.

And I learned to live. And to love.

I swipe to the next slide on my iPad and another chart appears on the big screen. “We already have the boot campaign approved at Bainbridge University. There’ll be a fireman’s boot positioned at every entrance into the CUB. We anticipate a two percent increase in revenue spread across the three firehouses on the island.”

“We told you to cut five percent, not find a way to increase revenue.” The accountant sounds board as he picks lint from his thousand-dollar suit. I grip my iPad and fight the urge to throw it at him. Instead, I go in for the kill. I know what I’m doing and refuse to let anyone shake my confidence. I’ve worked too hard to get to where I am to let a pompous asshat take it from me.

“If you’ll look at the screen, you’ll see where we can save significant dollars.”

The accountant, as well as his counterparts, stares at the screen, his expression slack. And then he stiffens when he spots what I wanted him to see. “You propose cutting our salary?”

“I propose you take the same cut you’re asking the departments to take,” I counter with a smile on my face. “If you cut your salaries by five percent, you save this department eight percent, which is more than you asked me to cut. Add that to the three percent I’ve already cut by combining the food purchases with the diner, and we’re looking at a total of eleven percent, or more than twice what you asked me to cut. That’s not including the revenue from the boot campaign.”

I set my iPad down and wait for their reaction. They don’t say anything else, which I expected. Captain Brantford nods as he covers his mouth to hide his grin.

“And why would we cut our salary?” the accountant asks.

“Yes,” another joins in. “That was never on the table.”

“These men put their lives on the line for complete strangers every day. Are their lives any less important than your cost of living?”

“But—”

“They don’t care what people make or what kind of car they drive. They only care about saving lives. Saving homes. Isn’t your home worth saving? Isn’t your life worth a measly five percent of your salary?”

“You’re talking five thousand dollars a year.”

I keep my smile inward. Now I know how much accountant number one makes. “That’s only a little over thirteen dollars a day. You probably spend that at lunch.”

“Miss Riggs,” another accountant-type jumps in. I honestly can’t tell the difference between any of them, they look that much alike. Tight-ass suits, every one of them. “We are not here to discuss cutting our salary.”

“Oh, I know.” I grab my iPad and swipe to the next slide. “This is what I presented to the Washington State Firefighters Association last week. They were so impressed, they’re cutting all administration’s budget by five percent. Congratulations, gentlemen. You’ve set a precedent.”

“This is not what we agreed to!” Accountant number one jumps to his feet. Even though I only come up to his chin, I’m the bigger person and we both know it. Damn does that feel good.

“If you’re going to demand cuts from the firehouses, be ready to reciprocate. It’s time to work together. In today’s economy, we can’t afford to think one person’s job is more important than another’s. If we don’t find a way to make this work, we’re all out a job.”

“You can’t do this.”

“Oh, believe me. I can. And if you go after any of the other firehouses on Bainbridge Island, I’ll be representing them as well. Thank you for your time, gentlemen. I’ll show myself out.” I grab my iPad and march out of the conference room, my head held high. I love my job.

The captain catches up to me. “Holy shit, Kayla. You’ve got some serious lady balls. Pardon the language.”

I laugh at how much he worries about his language around me. If he could only hear me when I stub my toe. I cuss for ten minutes straight and never repeat a word. “I think that went well.”

“I don’t think they knew what was coming. You hit them like a ton of bricks.” The admiration shines in his voice, as well as in his expression.

“I know the feeling,” a warm, masculine voice sounds behind me.

I whip around and spot Jake standing by the elevator. I run into his arms and kiss him. God, how I love this man. I would be well on my way to marrying one of those accountant types and working on settling into the rest of my boring life if it weren’t for Jake Swanson. I thank God for him every day.

“It went well,” the captain points out since I haven’t removed my lips from Jake’s. “Kayla scared them straight.”

“I can be pretty scary,” I finally say after pulling away.

“Don’t I know it.” Jake laughs when I elbow him in the ribs. I stare into his eyes, holding his gaze, never wanting to look away. “While you were in there, two more houses called needing your help.”

“What’d you tell them?”

“Yes.”

I smile and sigh. It’s amazing how things work out. I would have never figured I’d love a job like this. A consultant, fighting for the underdog. I have no idea if I’m going to have a job a year from now, but that doesn’t matter. I love what I do and get up excited to face the day. Of course, the daily orgasms help with that. They’re better than coffee at waking me up.

“Ready to go home?” Jake asks me and stretches. “I’m exhausted trying to keep up with you.”

“Don’t forget, Swanson.” The captain presses the button to call the elevator. “We have a new group of cadets starting in a few weeks. I expect you and Jordan to keep them in line.”

“Yes, sir.” Jake grins wide. And he was so worried he wouldn’t get hired on permanently after the fire at our old apartment building. Between the BIFD and TREX working together, they nailed the super for the fire. If Jake hadn’t been there, forcing them to save the building instead of letting it burn since it was on the hot sheet, the super would have gotten away with arson. Although neither of us are convinced the super acted alone, Jake assures me TREX is already on the case. I have no doubt they’ll find whoever really set that fire.

I shove my iPad under my arm. “Do you want to pick up a pizza on the way home?”

“I’d rather make pasta.”

I lean into him as we walk onto the elevator. “I do love your pasta seduction technique.”

“I knew it.” He kisses me. “You never fooled me for a minute. I knew I had you that first night when I made you dinner. No one can resist my pasta.”

He had me before that. “Is that a challenge?”

“I’m right here,” the captain says and clears his throat.

“Sorry.” I pull my arms back.

“It’s your fault we’re together, you know.” Jake grins at his captain.

“I’m one hell of a Cupid.”

“That you are,” I say and wink at Jake. He winks back. We keep stealing little flirty looks at each other.

“Still right here.” The captain stares at the numbers above the elevator doors. We laugh as the captain sighs. “Remind me to take the stairs next time.”