Chapter 7: Where Do Broken Hearts Go?

Weston

Weston walked to his truck with the scent of Felicity still lingering on his skin. He hadn't been able to calm his heart since the meeting in her office a bit ago. He knew they had crossed a line and there was no going back now. But he didn't care. But somehow, he felt he was going to have to convince her to feel the same.

Yes, she was his boss, but can someone really control who their heart wants?

He unlocked the door and was about to hop in when he heard his name being called. He turned to look, and it was the woman he had been talking to earlier in the station. The one he knew had caused Felicity to trip.

"Hey. What's up?" Weston asked.

"You forgot this," she said as she held up his bag.

"Oh, thanks, umm--"

"Sasha. My name is Sasha."

"Sorry, I am still learning everyone's names. I appreciate you bringing this to me."

"No problem. Are you busy tonight?"

"Not particularly. Why? What's up?"

"The guys wanted to go get drinks. I know y'all aren't getting along that well, but maybe this would be a good opportunity to fix that. What do you think?"

Weston looked around to make sure by some chance Felicity wasn't anywhere watching him talk to Sasha. He didn't want her to think for even a second that he was interested in another woman.

Though Sasha was pretty and nice, he just wasn't interested in her. Even if Felicity told him to get lost right now, he wasn't the type to fall into someone else's arms from a broken heart.

"Do they know you are inviting me?" He glanced at her face; one eyebrow arched. He had a feeling they had no idea.

"Sort of. I mean they said I could invite some friends if I wanted. I think they meant more along the lines of the female type, but hey, you're a friend, right?"

He watched as she bit her bottom lip and twirled her long blonde locks around her forefinger. She was flirting but he didn't not reciprocate.

"Yes, we're friends, of course," he said as he emphasized the word 'friends'.

She apparently took the hint because her face immediately changed to a more somber look.

"Well, that's great. Let me give you my number in case you decide to go." She reached into her purse and pulled out a pad and pen. She wrote down her number and handed it to Weston.

He reached out to grab it while once again combing the parking lot with his eyes.

"Thanks. I'll let you know."

"Are you looking for someone or something?" she asked as she also combed the lot with her eyes.

"No. Just habit as a firefighter I suppose. Always be aware of your surroundings." He swallowed hard. And always be aware of the woman of your dreams' feelings as well.

"You're right. Well, hope to hear from you. If not, have a good night."

"Thanks, you too."

She walked to her car, got in, and sped away.

He had no intentions of calling her but crumbed the paper up and shoved it in his pocket anyhow.

He did one last look. He was hoping somehow, she had run out to the parking lot to stop him from leaving.

To his surprise, he saw her making her way to his truck. The biggest smile crept across his face and his heart filled with so much excitement he felt it could burst.

But her face didn't look happy. She didn't look anything like the way she did in her office only a half hour ago.

"Everything okay?" he asked as she approached.

"Yes. I just needed to talk to you before you left."

"Okay. What's up?"

"As enjoyable as what just happened was, it can't and won't happen again. It is not to be spoken of or thought of, ever. It will never be acceptable for us to see each other. And I am not in the position to have feelings for, well, anyone right now.

I need you to understand this and comply."

"But--"

"--No. There is no but. There is no nothing. I am your boss. That is all. Nothing more and certainly not anything less. Understood?"

Wow. He didn't know there could be this much pain ever radiating his body from mere words. But the words cut deeper than any knife possibly could.

"Yep. Understood Captain Turner. Fully understood."

"Good. Thank you for your cooperation, Weston. Enjoy your night."

She turned and walked back to the station, and he watched every footstep she took, his heart breaking more with each one.

Clearly, he wasn't going to be able to convince her. So, what now? Just get over her? Would that even be possible? What choice did he have? None. If she didn't want this, then he couldn't force her to.

Suddenly, he had the urge to have a few drinks. He pulled out the crumbed paper from his pocket and then his phone.

He dialed.

"Hey Sasha. I think I will take you up on that offer for this evening. What time and where?"

***

Felicity

Hot tears burned Felicity's cheeks as she walked back towards the station. She could literally hear Weston's heart break as she told him they couldn't be anything more than professional. She had no choice.

She knew he was watching her walk away but there was not a chance she was looking back. That would just confirm to him that she cared more than she should. No. She had to be strong now. She had to be the boss and she had to make the best decisions for her life and his.

If only he knew her reasons, but he never would and that is how it needed to stay. She hoped he found happiness one day because to her, he had hung the moon.

She stepped back into the station and into her office. Her cell phone rang. It was her father.

"Dad? Everything okay? What? Are you serious? Okay. I am on my way."

She grabbed her things, ran past the firefighters, and straight to her truck. Her heart racing and tears streaming now for a completely different reason.

Her heart couldn't take much more.