“I learned from the best.”
Roman gave a short, tight nod, then cleared his throat before he spoke. “I’ve known that you were a great firefighter, but now when you talk, the guys get in order and go.”
“I work with a great crew. They’re like my brothers.”
“This isn’t the time to be humble,” Roman said with a laugh. “They follow you—not just because they like you, but because they respect you. You’ve earned that respect. Including mine.”
Adam wasn’t sure what to say. For the first time in forever he was at a loss for words—an overflow of emotions could do that. So could being conflicted.
Did Adam want to be the IC on that special ops team? Hell yeah. He was willing to do just about anything to make sure he was the top candidate on that list. Anything except put Roman in a tight situation.
It was no secret that Lowen and Adam weren’t BFFs. Just like it was no secret that Lowen would rather promote McGuire than see Adam rise in the ranks.
“What about the chief?” Adam asked, suddenly regretting every prank and play-it-loose relationship he’d had.
Roman smiled. “With everyone telling him what a great job you did managing this event, and how you pulled everyone together to get it accomplished, if I back you, you’re in.”
Adam was beyond humbled that a man like Roman, decorated and admired, saw enough in Adam to put his name on the line. But he also knew there was someone else who was behind Beat the Heat’s success. “Harper really came through for this event.” She’d also come through for him, in a big way. Because of her unwavering support, he’d been given the chance to prove himself. “If you can make sure some of that praise you’re doling out makes it her way, it would be appreciated.”
Roman’s smile faded and he went serious. Too serious to be anything good. “Actually, Harper is the reason I haven’t brought you up to Lowen yet,” Roman said in a low voice. “I wanted to talk to you about the position first. Make sure it worked with you.”
“No need to talk, everything about this works for me,” Adam said, his shoulders relaxing a bit. “Being so specialized will put me in a management position when I get back, not to mention on the fast track to lieutenant.”
Roman lifted a brow, as if waiting for Adam to see the catch. But there was no catch—this was a golden opportunity.
“It will also put you an airplane ride away from your girlfriend.”
Adam’s chest pinched at the thought of not seeing Harper every day. He wasn’t sure what was going to happen come Monday when that clock expired, but he liked the idea of seeing where things led. Harper was sweet and funny and sexy, and she got him. Got him so completely that he didn’t have to pretend to be anybody but himself.
And he didn’t want to lose that.
Harper would tell him he could have both. That he’d be an idiot to pass it up. And she’d be right.
Adam smiled. “Harper knows how much this job means. She would be behind it all the way.”
Roman lifted a brow. “But how much does she mean to you?”
A question that should have been a breeze to answer. A question that a few weeks ago wouldn’t have sent his mind racing and his heart thumping. Harper was so many things to him: a lover, a confidant, an unwavering support, and, most importantly, a friend.
Adam found himself smiling at that last one. Harper would punch him if she heard him say that, but he didn’t care. As far as he was concerned, that was her most amazing quality. That and her smile.
“She’s special.” And after this talk he was going to find her and buy her that chocolate-dipped banana, then hold her hand and walk around the festival. Maybe even try to win her a teddy bear. Nah, a bunny, she’d like that better.
“The thing about special people is that if you make them wait around, you risk missing out on everything that’s special,” Roman said, all cryptic.
“You go to the Golden Noodle and clean them out of fortune cookies again?”
“All I’m saying is that six months is a long time.”
“It’s six months. I’ve been gone for longer during bad fire years,” Adam said, wondering what was going on. Roman was acting like Adam being gone would be a problem. “Unless you think it will affect my position here.”
“No. The opposite.” Roman opened his mouth to say more, then wiped a hand across his brow and sighed.
Something was up. That was for sure. Roman was blunt by nature, always said it like it was and didn’t waste time on making it frilly. It was why he was such a good captain. But right then, Roman was acting like he was navigating a minefield, and Adam didn’t want anything to detonate.
“The only person who hates BS as much as I do is you,” Adam said. “So what’s going on?”