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something safe and innocent to pass the time while she finished hers. His mind latched onto the one topic he figured was safe, grabbing at it with the desperation of a dying man.
    "So how long have you been a Flight Medic?"
    CC looked up at him through lowered lids, a smile lifting one corner of her mouth. She swallowed then chuckled. "Uh oh. Looks like we're treading in the safe harbor of small talk. And work is a safe topic, right?"
    Dave opened his mouth to apologize, he wasn't sure why, but she waved her hand between them, stopping him.
    "No, it's all good." She took another bite of sundae, wiped her full mouth on a napkin, then sat back in her chair. "Eight years. I got my degree in Biological Sciences when I was twenty-one, along with my paramedic certification. I started applying around back home when I saw the notice for Flight Medic up here. I applied and got in, went through the academy, and thought I'd have to wait for a spot to open up. But they had open slots so I got moved over right after graduation. And here I am. How about you?"
    "I've been in for twelve years, paramedic the entire time."
    "Wow. The abbreviated version. I like it. Most times, guys won't shut up about themselves." She tilted her head, her long hair falling over one shoulder with the movement. "But somehow I get the impression that you don't open up much to anyone, so I'll stop myself from being too impressed."
    Dave didn't say anything, once again not sure how to respond. It wasn't a feeling he was used to, and he was fairly certain he didn't like it. But CC didn't seem to notice. Or, if she did, she didn't say anything, just picked up the conversational ball and rolled with it.
    "Let's see, what else would you like to know? I'm twenty-nine. Never been married. I'm originally from Georgetown, South Carolina. Middle child, only girl, Lord help me. Family is still all back home. I live by myself. No boyfriend, no pets, no kids." She paused, watching him, then smiled. "Okay, now it's your turn."
    "My turn?"
    "Yes, silly, that's how it works. I tell you about myself, then you tell me about yourself. Now it's your turn. Besides, my ice cream is melting."
    He sat, stunned, as she went back to her sundae, her attention divided between what was left of the gooey monstrosity and him. But he didn't think for a minute that he could get away without answering, so he sat back in his own chair and let out a deep breath.
    "Thirty-two. Lived in Maryland all my life. One sister. A father I haven't seen in almost ten years." Okay, he hadn't expected to tell her that. He reached down and grabbed the plastic spoon, rolling it back and forth in his hands. "Never been married. No girlfriend, no kids, no pets."
    "See, already we have lots in common. Older or younger?"
    "Pardon?"
    "Your sister. Is she older or younger?"
    "Younger. By almost eight years."
    "Does she live with you? Or do you have that big house all to yourself?"
    Dave clenched his jaw, surprised to feel irritation at the question. But if CC noticed, she didn't say anything, just looked at him with curiosity. He let out a heavy sigh and tossed the spoon back on the tray. "She moved out a few months ago, and I'm pretty sure she's going to be moving in with her boyfriend soon. He just bought a house."
    "You don't sound happy about that."
    Dave sighed and closed his eyes, thinking before he answered. Despite their recent estrangement, and all the reasons for it, he wanted to be happy for Angie. He should be happy for her. But he realized part of him was still pissed about how the entire thing had been handled, by all three of them. And for some reason, he didn't mind admitting it to the woman in front of him. He opened his eyes to find her watching him, and gave her a small shrug. "Her boyfriend is a firefighter from my station that I've worked with for the last six years."
    "Oh, I see." She nodded and finished the last bite of her sundae, then pushed the bowl to the middle of the table. And Dave realized