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happened to conservative Bailey who went home early last night and watched a movie with her brother?”
    Bailey held out her hand. “Let’s make a deal. I’ll take a chance on Taylor if you take a chance on his brother.”
    “I thought you didn’t like Tanner.”
    “That was when I thought you didn’t like him.”
    “I haven’t actually said I do like him.”
    Bailey lifted Evie’s hand by the wrist. “You’re still shaking from last night. You like him.”
    “ I’m not sure—”
    “Call him. Now.”
    Evie’s first instinct was to refuse. She wasn’t sure she wanted Bailey or anyone watching her when she spoke to Tanner because it might be embarrassing, but she had to admit, she’d thought of nothing else for almost twelve hours. At least she had her excuse. Bailey wanted to see Taylor again, and a double date would make her less likely to throw herself at him and end up doing something her sensible self would regret later.
    “Fine.” She pulled out her phone and searched for his number. It wasn’t under C where she expected it, or TA for Tanner. She glanced at Bailey. Had the slippery snake only pretended to put his number into her phone?
    “I can’t believe this…oh…hah.” She found it under The Evil Twin and showed Bailey before hitting dial. “Well, at least he’s honest.”
    “That makes one of you,” Bailey muttered.
    Evie cut off the call before the phone rang and squinted at her friend. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    “You know Shakespeare?”
    “We’ve never met, but I’ve heard of him.”
    “Have you heard the lady doth protest too much ?”
    Evie rolled her eyes. Before she could protest, Bailey plowed on. “Stop pretending he hasn’t gotten under your skin. That’s nothing to be afraid of.”
    A million replies whizzed through Evie’s head, but she silenced them all and leveled an exasperated look at Bailey. Honestly, there was plenty to be afraid of, the least of which was losing her heart to someone who might not be serious about her. What she feared most was that it had already happened.
     
    *
     
    Tanner’s cell phone had never gone so long without ringing, and of course, the moment it did, his partner swiped the device from his hand.
    “I’ve got to see who you’ve been obsessing over all day,” Quinn said, twisting out of Tanner’s reach and retreating to the far side of the firehouse kitchen where they’d been eating breakfast after a long night on duty. Tanner had another hour before this extra shift ended, and he desperately needed some sleep, but his exhaustion didn’t stop him from chasing his friend across the room.
    “Give it back, come on. How old are you?”
    The phone continued to play its ringtone, and any minute the call would go to voicemail. Tanner lunged for it, grabbed Quinn’s arm, and wrestled it away from him.
    “You’ve checked that phone a hundred times since we got back here. Must be a really important call…”
    Tanner shushed him and hit connect. Despite having Evie on his mind all night, he was actually glad she hadn’t called back until now. He wouldn’t have been able to answer while he was working. “Hello?” He managed to keep his greeting neutral, even as he made a face at his partner.
    “Hi. I hope this is a good time to call.”
    “It is. I’m at work, but nothing’s going on.”
    “I can call back.”
    “No, this is okay. How are you?” Lame question. Across the room, Quinn had puckered up and was making kissing noises. Tanner rolled his eyes and turned his back. So juvenile. Hard to believe the guy was his best friend.
    “I talked to Bailey, and she said she’s up for a double date, if Taylor is interested.”
    “I’ll call him and find out when he’s free.”
    “Good. Okay, maybe before that you and I could…get together?”
    “Sure.” He’d done it. He’d charmed her. Now he just needed some free time. “Unfortunately I had to pick up a couple of extra shifts. The ambulance corps in