Page 36 of Rescue My Heart

And as much as she wanted to dismiss it as mere duty or professionalism, she knew, deep down, that it was more than that. Today, that had become painfully clear.

In the cold stillness of the station, she let out a long breath, trying to steady herself. She didn’t want to admit it. She didn’t want to acknowledge that no matter how hard she tried to move on, part of her would always be drawn back to Mazey. She knew she was walking a fine line, one that blurred the boundaries between her role as a firefighter and her own lingering feelings.

All these thoughts whirled around in her mind, one after the other in a spiral she couldn’t escape. She gripped the edge ofthe couch, grounding herself, focusing on the cool leather under her fingers. Her whole life, she’d trained herself to be steady, to maintain control, and yet one near-drowning scene had turned all of that on its head.

She forced herself to breathe, trying to calm the turbulence inside. She couldn’t keep doing this. She couldn’t keep hovering around Mazey, drawn in by an invisible pull, only to retreat and act like it hadn’t happened. The ache in her chest was a reminder that she’d never fully let go, not really. And yet, she also knew the dangers of going back and rekindling feelings that had already burned her once.

She was still lying there, wrestling with herself, when she heard a faint voice calling her name. Her heart stilled, and she opened her eyes, not sure if she’d imagined it. But there it was again, soft yet unmistakable: Mazey’s voice drifting through the haze of her thoughts.

“McKenna.”

For a moment, she didn’t move. She wasn’t sure if she was dreaming, if her thoughts had somehow conjured the sound of Mazey’s voice. She sat up, her pulse quickening as she turned toward the door, half expecting Mazey to be standing there.

Her mind raced, wondering what Mazey might say, if she’d acknowledge what had happened today. Or maybe Mazey would brush it off, acting like she always did—confident, playful, unbothered. But either way, it seemed impossible that Mazey’s presence here could mean nothing.

McKenna took a steadying breath, bracing herself for whatever might come next.

Mazey’s usual confidence was stripped away, leaving a rawness that McKenna hadn’t seen before. Her eyes held an intensity that made it impossible for McKenna to look away, as if Mazey was baring her soul.

Mazey took a shaky breath, her voice low and wavering. “I was wrong to push you away, McKenna,” she said, her gaze flickering down before meeting McKenna’s eyes again. “I don’t know what I was thinking. And doing it over a text message? It was cowardly. I was scared. Scared of actually facing you because if I had seen you, if I had heard your voice, I know I wouldn’t have gone through with it.”

McKenna felt her chest tighten at Mazey’s words. The weight of them hung in the air, heavy with regret. She tried to keep her face unreadable, but she couldn’t ignore the way Mazey’s words struck her. Mazey looked like she was barely holding herself together, her hand twisting the hem of her sleeve as if clinging to it for support.

“What do you mean by that, Mazey?” McKenna’s voice was steady, but inside, she felt a storm building. She needed to know if Mazey could understand the hurt she’d caused by walking away so abruptly.

Mazey looked down for a moment, then took a slow, deep breath, as if gathering her courage. When she finally spoke, her voice was steady but soft, almost as if she were speaking to herself as much as to McKenna.

“I don’t care about everything I’d lose, McKenna. I thought I did. I convinced myself that I cared about my career, about what the media would say, but I don’t. Not really. It’s all noise. And it’s not worth losing you over.” She hesitated, her eyes searching McKenna’s face, and then continued, “I was terrified that if I stayed I’d drag you into something that could hurt you. But losing you hurt more than I ever expected. I’m sorry. I’m so desperately sorry.”

Mazey looked down at the ground.

McKenna swallowed, struggling to hold her ground against Mazey’s words. She tried to keep a level head, but every word chipped away at the walls she’d carefully built since Mazey hadwalked away. “Mazey, you can’t just say that now, like it’s so simple,” she said, her voice firmer than she felt. “You already tossed me aside over one hint of a media scandal- they don’t even have any evidence. How do I know you won’t do it again?”

Mazey’s face fell slightly, but she held McKenna’s gaze, her voice steady with conviction. “I know I don’t deserve a second chance, but I’m asking anyway. I don’t care what people think of me or how the media spins it. All that matters is you. I didn’t see it before. I thought my career and image were things I couldn’t risk, but I don’t want any of it if it means I lose you.”

McKenna’s mind swirled with conflicting emotions. She wanted to believe Mazey, but the pain still lingered. The memory of that cold, impersonal text Mazey had sent made her wary. Yet here was Mazey, standing before her, saying everything McKenna had wished to hear in the quiet moments when she allowed herself to miss her.

Mazey seemed to sense her hesitation. She stepped closer, her eyes pleading as she searched McKenna’s face. “I can handle the media, the attention, the criticism…as long as you’re by my side. I know I was wrong to push you away before, but if you give me another chance, I won’t make that mistake again.”

McKenna wanted to believe her, but the hurt made her cautious. “Mazey, it’s not easy,” she murmured, looking down as she tried to keep her composure.

“Being with me means you’ll be in the limelight for something different than you’re used to. You’ll be in the limelight for being with a woman. Are you sure you’re ready for that? For the whispers and judgment?”

Mazey nodded without a moment’s hesitation. “Yes. If you’re with me, then I can handle it. You make me braver, McKenna. You make me want to be the kind of person who can face anything. I love you.” Mazey’s clear blue eyes met her own and her words seemed filled with truth.

McKenna felt her defenses start to weaken. She’d spent so much time imagining what it would be like to hear Mazey say these words, yet now that it was happening, a part of her felt unsteady. She didn’t want to be hurt again, but she couldn’t deny the pull in her chest, the part of her that had never stopped longing for this exact moment.

Mazey’s hand hovered in the space between them, her fingers brushing McKenna’s, sending a small jolt through her. She looked down at their hands then back up at Mazey, who was watching her with a look that held a thousand unspoken words.

“Are you sure you can handle this?” Mazey’s voice was barely a whisper, as if she feared her own hope might shatter the fragile moment between them. “I know it’s a lot to ask. I know I hurt you, but I don’t want to run from this anymore. I don’t want to run from us.”

McKenna felt a flicker of warmth spread through her melting the cold, hard edges she’d built around her heart. She wanted to hold onto her resolve and protect herself from the pain of losing Mazey again, but she couldn’t ignore the sincerity in her eyes or the softness in her voice.

For a long moment, she stood there, gazing at Mazey, letting herself feel everything she’d tried to push away. Finally, with a sigh, she allowed her shoulders to relax, the tension easing from her body as she gave a small, tentative nod.

And in that moment, something shifted between them, a quiet understanding, a silent promise to try again and see where this could lead.

McKenna looked at Mazey, a faint smile softening her usually steady gaze. “I can handle anything, Mazey, as long as you’re by my side.”