Written in the Stars Read online

  I can’t help but chuckle. He’s seriously mad and frustrated that no one took the time to pick up some beverages for the firehouse. I get it. It’s annoying to always have to be the one to restock items. I’ve done it plenty of times, too, but I don’t take his remark personally. I know he’s just venting.

  “Morning, precious,” I joke, walking over to the Keurig machine and then brew myself a cup.

  He doesn’t find me funny, nor did I expect he would. But he’s got to know this is not that big of a deal. He seems so uptight about it, and if I weren’t in a worse situation than him, I’d say he needs to get laid. But he’s gotten laid more times than I have in the last three years. His one hundred fifty plus to my zero and counting. Still, I don’t have any desire, but I know if I mention it, he won’t let me off so easily.

  Once I turn around and take my first sip, I meet his gaze again. Mmm, that first piping hot sip. Nothing compares to it. “All jokes aside, I’ll head to the store and grab some drinks so we have something to drink for the weekend.” We’ll be spending some of our weekend at the firehouse since it’s our turn. Twenty-four hours on shift, then two days off.

  He finally relaxes as a small smile slowly forms on his face. “You’re my angel, do you know that?” He kids and bats his eyes at me like a flirtatious woman.

  You’d think I’d be used to his sense of humor by now, but it still gets me sometimes. Today, I almost spit out my coffee. “And you, mine.”

  The two of us break out in laughter. We always have this type of banter between the two of us. It makes the difficult days a little easier to deal with. Okay, I’m lying. It makes them a lot easier to deal with. They come in waves. Some days I’m fine. Some days I’m not. Some days begin great and end horribly, and vice versa. Matt has just always been there for me through them all, and if it wasn’t for him, I don’t know how I would get through them. If it wasn’t for him, I probably would have drunken myself into a black hole, unable to pull myself out.

  I take another sip and then decide to offer a cup to Matt. “Want me to grab you a cup of coffee? It’s really good.”

  He shakes his head. “Thanks, but I’m good for now. I had some before I left the house this morning.”

  I smirk. “One cup’s never enough.”

  He chuckles and thinks for a moment. “True. Maybe I’ll take you up on that offer just for the hell of it.”

  “Cool,” I smile. “What flavor do you want?” I spin around, then open the K cup bin. We have a ton of different flavors, ranging from regular to mocha to French vanilla and more.

  He thinks over my question for a moment and then asks, “Do we have any more hazelnut?”

  I look in the bin and confirm that we’re out. I turn back around to face him with a cringe. I know he’s going to bitch. “Sorry… we’re out.”

  He throws his arms up. “I give up today.”

  I stifle a laugh so he doesn’t kill me this time. “I guess I’ll pick that up too while I’m out later. Know of anything else that we might need?”

  He smirks, not bothering to answer.

  Chief Calloway passes by and waves without stopping into the lounge area. Before he’s too far to be heard, he says, “Drills in fifteen, boys.”

  “Great, I’d better down this,” I say, swallowing a large gulp. At least it’s not too hot to where it’s burning my throat. On the contrary, it is very soothing on this wintry day.

  “I’m thinking she’s the one, Zander,” Matt’s statement makes me snap my head up to look at him. His frustrated expression from just moments ago is gone. Anytime he brings up Valerie, he’s always in a good mood. This time is no different, and his confession to me is serious.

  He met Valerie almost immediately after the demise of Maddie and me. I’m happy for him. He deserves to be happy and find the one. He’s a good guy and I wish him nothing but the best.

  Still, it’s kind of hard when every year they celebrate their anniversary as a couple, it’s a reminder of exactly how long I’ve lost my wife. But I refuse to be bitter and not let him enjoy one of the many good things in his life.

  “Wow, really? That’s great, man.” I finish my coffee, placing the cup into the sink and start heading toward the opposite end of the room.

  Matt goes up off the couch and meets me, then we walk out of the lounge area together, heading straight for drills. “Yeah, for real. I mean, I’ve known it for a long time now, but I didn’t say anything because I wanted to be sure. But I’ve already purchased a ring, and I’m ready to ask her to be my w—”

  He halts. He was about to say wife, and I’m guessing he didn’t because of me and what that word represents for me.

  I offer him a small smile, shake my head, and then finish his sentence for him. “Wife. It’s okay, man. You can say it.”

  He chuckles nervously. “Thanks, bro. I wasn’t sure how you felt and I didn’t want to come off as an insensitive asshole.”

  We line up, waiting for the chief. A few of the other guys are already here.

  I place a hand on Matt’s shoulder. “Matt, you’re the furthest thing from an insensitive asshole. You’ve been here for me through it all. I couldn’t be mad at you if I tried. I want you to be happy, and I’m glad Valerie makes you feel the way you do. She’s a lucky woman to have found such a great guy like you.”

  “Thank you, Zander. You don’t know how much that means to me.”

  And in reality, I think I do. Because if the shoe was on my foot, I know I’d feel the exact way.

  After drills, it’s just about lunchtime and Matt and I find ourselves back to the lounge area, looking over menus. We decide to order some sandwiches from the local deli, and while we wait for them to arrive, I think I’m going to sneak out to the store and pick up some drinks and coffee for the weekend.

  “Is there anything else you’d like me to pick up while I’m out?”

  Matt walks over to the cabinet and opens it up. He peers inside and then closes the door once more. “Nope. We’ve got some chips. We’re good.”

  I chuckle, as if chips, coffee, and beer are the only three things we’ll need to get by for the weekend. “All right, cool.”

  He walks over to the counter next to the sink and props himself on top of it. He picks up the newspaper that someone had left on it from earlier this morning and begins reading the headlines. “Try not to take too long… lunch will be here before you know it.”

  “I’m only going to Supermart on Pleasantville Road. I’ll be twenty minutes, tops. And I’m going to walk since it’s right there.”

  He looks up at me right as I reach the door. “You’re not even going to drive? Yeah, okay. Twenty minutes, my ass.”

  Sure. It’s Supermart. You go in for one thing and come out with fifty items. I’ve done that before, we all have. But I can keep an eye on the clock and be back before our sandwiches get here. And to prove a point, I’m even going to walk. It’s only like two minutes from the firehouse, anyway. “I’ll be quick, I promise. After all, what could possibly make me delay? It’s just Supermart.”

  He raises an eyebrow. “That’s precisely it. Plus, you just never know what can happen.”

  I furrow my brows. What does he mean? “What the hell are you talking about?”

  He smiles. “Think of the day I met Valerie… I was in the post office. She happened to walk in as I was leaving, and I had to turn around and make an excuse to talk to her. Who would have thought my trip to the post office would have caused me to meet the woman of my dreams.”

  I chuckle. “Dude, I really don’t think I’m going to meet anyone at Supermart while shopping for beer.” Not like I’m looking to meet anyone, anyway. I had my chance at love, and unfortunately, fate didn’t let it last very long.

  “I wouldn’t completely rule it out, Zander.”

  I chuckle again, waving him off. Then I grab my scruffy beard and scratch my chin. “Okay, man. I’ll see you in about twenty. Matter of fact, make it fifteen.”

  He shakes his head, smiling widely, and repeats, “Yeah, twenty minutes. We’ll see.”

  I walk out of the firehouse, just rolling my eyes playfully. Gotta love Matt and his optimistic outlook on life lately.

  Chapter Five

  SERENITY

  Once we arrive at the store and get situated, Lissa has me arrange the items for Christmas in the front window display. It’s December first and a tradition for her to have all the decorations out on the first day of the month.

  “If you need anything or have questions, I’ll be in the back room going through paperwork. Customers will come in and look around. Just ask them if they need any help. Most of the time, they know exactly what they want. I can ring them up once they bring it to the register; I’ll see them from back there,” she says, pointing to the room in the back. “Or you can just ring this little bell here and I’ll come over.” She slams her palm down onto the silver bell, making it ding.

  I giggle. “Okay, Lissa. I’m sure I’ll manage.”

  She smiles. “I know you will. Keep your chin up, sis.”

  Reality hits once more. It’s not her fault. When I’m not talking and keeping myself distracted, last night, walking into Walter’s office on him is all I can think about. “I’m trying to. It’s been hard not thinking about what I walked in on yesterday, but I keep telling myself it was for the best. I’m still trying to figure out how, but I know some way it is.”

  She nods her head, placing her hands on her hips. “It is, Ren. It always is. And take it from me… it’s better that you found out now what a dog he is than when you’re married for eight years.” She’s referring to Michael, and right away, I feel horrible. I hope I didn’t make her feel bad.

  “I’m sorry, Lis… I didn’t mean it like that.”

  “I
know, sis. You’re fine. I’m not upset about it anymore. I just hope you will find your happiness one day soon. I’m still praying for mine.”

  I nod, and she walks toward the back. And as I begin placing ornaments on the two-foot plastic Christmas tree, the most gorgeous pair of dark brown eyes lock with mine.

  Oh. My. God...

  He’s got the sexiest pair of brown eyes I’ve ever seen.

  He’s tall, with a beard and dark hair. He’s wearing a pair of denim blue jeans with a black hoodie. Even though he’s fully covered, his bulging chest and biceps are still pretty clear. He seems to be casually strolling down the street when our eyes connected just moments ago, and that’s when he flashes me a gentle smile.

  Gentle and beautiful. Holy shit.

  At first, I smile back at the handsome stranger as if everything is fine and dandy, like everything is good in the world. But then, all of a sudden, I remember just how much I hate the entire male population—except for my dad. I immediately drop my gaze and continue decorating.

  I haven’t even been single for a full twenty-four hours yet, and my hormones are already swooning. No way. It will not happen. Not now. Not again. Not anymore.

  I hate men. Men are evil. Men are the enemy, I say to myself a million times, repeating that same phrase in my head.

  Pulling me out of my reverie, an elderly woman of about seventy-five walks in. She’s adorable, wearing a big purple hat and matching gloves. Her coat is buttoned from top to bottom, not missing a single button.

  “Welcome to L. Darling’s Accessories. May I help you with anything today?” I politely ask, getting up from the floor in front of the window.

  But before I can pull myself away, I can’t help but give that stranger across the street one more glance. Except, as I look out, he’s already gone.

  Good. One less prick to worry about.

  “Good morning, young lady. I’m looking for some new ornaments to match my new silver Christmas tree. Would you happen to have anything in stock?”

  I smile, dusting my ass off with my hands. “You’re in luck. We just got these gorgeous new ones in. Let me go grab them for you.”

  I lead her over to the display section of silver and gold decorated Christmas ornaments, while Lissa looks over, giving me a thumbs-up. I smile and carry on, continuing to talk with the older woman about Christmas ornaments. Just over twenty-four hours ago, I didn’t even care about decorations. Now I’m practically becoming a pro.

  “Those are beautiful. I’ll take one, please.”

  One? Is she serious? Who the hell buys one ornament?

  The look on my face must say a lot. Lissa overhears the lady’s comment, and can’t help laughing as she walks up to the register.

  “I can ring you up here, ma’am. Find everything you need?”

  “Oh, yes! This young lady was very helpful.” She smiles at Lissa, then at me, and I smile back nervously. Then she continues talking. “We just got a new tree and I’m going to add this pretty sparkly silver ball with the rest of the collection. It’s a tradition of mine to buy a new ornament each year. We’ve got some that go back to the late 1800s.” Her eyes widen as she continues talking, but now it makes sense to me why she only wanted one ornament.

  Lissa gasps. “Oh my goodness, really?”

  The old woman nods proudly. “Oh, yes. It’s a tradition that started long ago with my grandparents’ parents.”

  Lissa and I exchange looks, and then she winks at me. It’s at that moment when I go back to decorating the front window. This is definitely going to be an interesting career move for me, even if it is only temporary.

  Chapter Six

  ZANDER

  Wow.

  That’s the only word I can think of to describe the gorgeous angel who smiled back at me from the accessory store.

  Granted, I didn’t plan on smiling when I first laid eyes on her. I actually had to slow down once my eyes locked with her because I couldn’t help myself. I have never seen someone as beautiful as her.

  Not since Maddie, anyway.

  But for the first time in three years, this mysterious woman has been the only one to make me smile; her beauty really took me by surprise.

  I thought about going in and saying hello before heading to Supermart, but right before I could cross the street, she looked away. Maybe she regretted it, and I didn’t want to seem like a creep. So, I kept it moving and continued on my way to Supermart.

  But something in the way she turned and looked the other way made it feel as though she knew me, recognized me. But she can’t possibly know me. I know I’ve never seen her before.

  I shake my head and make my way back. I’m taking the long way just in case she’s there still. She appeared to be working there. There’s no way I could have seen her before. Surely I would remember someone like her. And I know the building pretty well since it’s right across the way from the retirement home where we’ve been on a few calls to put out accidental fires.

  I head inside the firehouse, placing the bags of groceries on the counter. I find Matt, along with Sal and Vin, seated at the table. Lunch has already arrived as the two of them dig in, but Matt just eyes me with a shit-eating grin plastered on his face. I know exactly what he’s thinking.

  Okay, so I took longer than expected, and I’m totally not surprised the food is already here since I was gone for forty-five minutes. Yeah, I kind of took my time at Supermart since I kept thinking about the mystery lady from the accessory store, and the fact that I purposely took the long way home didn’t help. But I couldn’t control my thoughts as I walked through the store.

  “Fifteen minutes, huh?” he asks, still smiling like an asshole at me.

  I chuckle to myself. “Shut up.”

  He rises from his seat to come stand next to me as I put the groceries away. “Store must’ve been busy…”

  I turn around, crumpling up the plastic bag and placing it inside the drawer where we keep all the bags in case we need them. “Sure…”

  He punches me in the arm. “Aww, c’mon, man! I know something kept you! Did you really meet someone like I guessed?”

  I snap my head around and look at him like he’s crazy because he clearly is. “What?! No, man. I did not meet anyone…”

  Okay, so not a total lie. Technically, I didn’t meet anyone. I just happened to catch a glimpse of a beautiful woman. Totally not the same thing…

  “So, what took you so long?” He punches my arm again.

  I stifle a laugh. I’m not going to mention the mystery beauty I had the privilege of landing my eyes on, but I’m enjoying the fact that he’s going crazy, trying to figure out what took me so long. I’m actually getting a real kick out of it. It’s pretty hilarious to see him breaking his head over it.

  I shrug. “It’s a nice day. I took the long way to the store and back, and I dawdled once I got there. That’s all.” I look over at him and he’s eyeing me sideways. Yeah, he’s not buying it, but I don’t care. I walk up to the table where Sal and Vin are finishing up their lunch, and once I take a seat, Matt walks over and sits down across from me. I can see it written all over his face that he’s not believing me for one bit, but before I can say a word, Sal and Vin wave and head out of the room.

  Matt passes me my sandwich, but continues eyeing me sideways. As I grab it, he readjusts his head and begins unwrapping his own sandwich. Then he says, “Okay, now that Bert and Ernie are gone, you can tell me what really went down.”

  He calls Sal and Vin Bert and Ernie because they’re always together, and rumor has it, they’re more than just roommates and work buddies. But no one knows the truth. Not like it matters, anyway. I couldn’t care less if they’re friends or something more. As long as they’re happy, that’s all that counts. Too bad not everyone thinks like that.

  I take a bite of my Silver Special sandwich, and the flavor explodes in my mouth. It’s loaded with ham, cheese, chicken cutlet, lettuce, tomato, and the deli’s special homemade silver sauce. It’s my go to and one of their best sandwiches. “What are you talking about, bro?”