Page 26 of Playing With Fire
Cass had been the one to breach those walls, not with careful persistence but with sheer force. She had challenged Evelyn in ways no one ever had, pushing back with a fire that had both infuriated and captivated her. Evelyn had told herself that it was nothing more than a professional clash, that the heat between them was just friction borne from opposing ideals. But that lie had crumbled the moment she had kissed Cass, the moment she had let herself feel.
Now, she was left staring at the ruins of whatever fragile connection they had managed to build. And it was all her fault.
Evelyn leaned back in her chair, the leather creaking under her weight as she closed her eyes. She had thought she was protecting herself by keeping Cass at arm’s length, by insisting on the lines they couldn’t cross, by prioritizing her duty above all else. But in reality, she had been running. Running from the way Cass made her feel, the way she saw right through her, and the way she had made Evelyn want something more than just professional success.
It had all unraveled so quickly. The pressure from the city, the impossible decisions, the arguments that had spiraled into something raw and personal—it had pushed her into a corner. And when Cass had looked at her with that mix of anger and betrayal, Evelyn had felt something inside her break. She had told herself that it was better this way, that she was doing what needed to be done, but now, sitting here in the silence of her office, she couldn’t escape the truth.
She had let fear win.
Evelyn opened her eyes, staring at the ceiling. She had spent her whole life avoiding vulnerability because she thought it made her strong. But now, all she felt was weak. Weak forpushing Cass away, for choosing control over connection, for clinging to the illusion that she could protect herself by keeping her distance.
Her phone buzzed on the desk, and she glanced at it, her heart sinking when she saw the message from the city manager. More updates on the budget cuts, more pressure to finalize the plans. Evelyn felt a surge of frustration, her fingers itching to hurl the device across the room. But she didn’t. Instead, she set it down gently, her mind racing.
Was this really worth it? The accolades, the promotions, the spotless reputation—none of it seemed to matter anymore. Not when the cost had been Cass, not when she had destroyed the one thing that had made her feel alive in years.
For the first time in her life, Evelyn wasn’t sure she could fix this. Cass had every right to hate her, to shut her out, to never forgive her. And yet, the thought of leaving things as they were—of walking away without trying—made Evelyn’s chest tighten with a desperation she didn’t know how to contain.
She didn’t want to be this person anymore. She didn’t want to let fear dictate her life, to keep running from the things that scared her. Cass had shown her that there was another way, that vulnerability wasn’t the same as weakness, that connection could be a kind of strength she had never allowed herself to believe in.
But was it too late?
Evelyn stood, pacing the length of her office, her thoughts spiraling. She couldn’t keep going like this, couldn’t keep pretending that she was fine, that the decisions she had made were the right ones. Maybe it wasn’t too late to change things. Maybe she could find a way to undo the damage she had done—not just to Cass, but to herself.
She stopped by the window, staring out at the city below. The fire station wasn’t far, its familiar silhouette barely visibleagainst the glow of the streetlights. She wondered if Cass was there now, pacing her own office, as tormented as Evelyn was. The thought sent a pang of longing through her, sharper than anything she had felt before.
Evelyn had always prided herself on her ability to stay composed, to never let her emotions interfere with her decisions. But now, for the first time, she wanted to let herself feel. She wanted to tell Cass the truth, to lay it all out, to take the risk she had been too afraid to take before.
She didn’t know if Cass would forgive her. She didn’t know if she could undo the choices that had driven them apart. But she had to try. Because if there was one thing Evelyn knew with absolute certainty, it was that losing Cass was a mistake she couldn’t live with.
And for the first time in her life, Evelyn was ready to face her fear.
Evelyn stared at her phone, the contact labeledBecky Thompsonsitting at the top of her screen. She had been hovering over the call button for the better part of ten minutes, torn between her need for guidance and the stubborn pride that had kept her from asking for help for so long. Becky, legendary fire chief turned world traveler, had a reputation for cutting through the noise and getting to the heart of a problem. If anyone could give her clarity, it was Becky.
With a deep breath, Evelyn pressed the button and raised the phone to her ear. It rang twice before a familiar, warm voice answered.
“Evelyn Ford,” Becky said, her tone amused. “I didn’t expect to hear from you while I’m halfway across the world. What’sthe matter? The city council driving you mad or is it something worse?”
Evelyn hesitated, unsure how to begin. “Both,” she admitted finally, her voice quieter than she intended.
Becky’s tone softened. “Alright, kid. I’m in Italy sipping an espresso right now, so lay it on me. What’s going on?”
Evelyn almost laughed at the mental image of the famously no-nonsense chief enjoying a leisurely afternoon abroad. But the weight of her situation quickly sobered her. “I think I’ve made a mess of everything, Becky.”
There was a pause on the other end of the line, just long enough for Evelyn to feel the sting of her own admission. Then Becky’s voice came, steady and patient. “Start from the beginning.”
Evelyn sighed, dragging a hand through her hair as she sank into her office chair. “The city’s been pushing me to make cuts to the fire department. Big ones. Necessary, they keep saying. I’ve been going back and forth with Cass Harris—the captain at Phoenix Ridge. You probably remember her.”
“Cass? Of course I do,” Becky said warmly. “She’s got a fire in her, that one. Reminds me of myself when I was her age.”
Evelyn smiled faintly at that. “Yeah, she does. She’s been fighting me on every single change I’ve proposed. It’s been…contentious. But somewhere along the way, things got complicated. We got involved—personally, I mean.”
Becky let out a low whistle. “Well, now. Thatiscomplicated.”
“I shouldn’t have let it happen,” Evelyn continued quickly, guilt threading through her words. “It was unprofessional, reckless. But I—” She broke off, unsure how to explain the pull Cass had on her, the way she had made Evelyn feel seen and challenged in a way no one else ever had.
“You care about her,” Becky said gently, filling the silence. “Am I right?”
“Yes,” Evelyn admitted, the word barely more than a whisper. “But it doesn’t matter. I had to tell her about the cuts—cuts I don’t even agree with but couldn’t prevent. She took it as a betrayal, and I don’t blame her. She ended things. And now, I’ve lost her, and I feel like I’ve lost myself in the process.”