Involving a firefighter, a paramedic, and–at some point in the story–a genie with a touch of pyromania. And maybe, if you’re very good, I’ll tell you where it’s headed.

Later. 😀

Gene walked out of the bunkroom with his overnight bag and dropped it behind the couch. He picked an apple out of the bowl on the counter and took a bite before asking, “You still okay to go digging through the antique shops with me this morning?”

“Sure. You know what you want?”

“I don’t know, exactly. Maybe a table, or a jewelry box? Man, I hate shopping for anniversary presents. But it’s ten years, now, and if I don’t make it a good one, I’ll be fighting for space in the doghouse for the next ten.”

Cody tapped his nose and nodded wisely. “That’s why I never got married.”

“You say that now, but I bet when the right girl comes along you’ll change your tune.”

The clock said five minutes to seven now and Cody’s stomach gave a little flutter.

Seth walked in. The flutter in Cody’s stomach turned into full blown nervous twitches and he turned his back on the man to hide his reaction. He’d always thought he was straight, until two months ago. Until the day Seth, with his blond hair and lean, compact body had transferred to Cody’s station. Now, every time he saw the man, his body bluntly informed him that he wasn’t nearly as straight as he’d thought.