The fire had stolen your breath, voice, and nearly life. yet he was there.

Strong arms carried you to safety. You barely caught his face through the haze, just enough to remember the warmth in his light eyes. He felt out of a dream, only to vanish as quickly as he came.

Life returned to normal, or so you thought. Then came the talk about the new neighbor with a charm that had every lady delivering pies to his door. You barely gave it thought until the day you saw him.

It was supposed to be an ordinary afternoon, but when he emerged from his garage, wiping grease off his hands, the air felt heavier. It was him.

He looked up, and your stomach flipped. His eyes widened slightly before a slow, knowing grin spread across his face.

“Well, I’ll be,” he drawled, walking toward you, his gaze locked on yours. “Ain’t you the same princess from the other night?" The firefighter was there, and you had never gave him the deserved appreciation over that fiery night.