Chapter 1: Introduction
The ambulance bay doors slid open with a hiss, admitting a gust of late-autumn wind that swirled between the vehicles and carried the smell of rain with it. Rachel stepped out of the ambulance, her back aching from the day's endless stream of minor injuries and false alarms. As she stretched, she caught a glimpse of Ed through the glass of his office. He was on the phone, his deep baritone rumbling even through the closed door. She couldn't make out his words, but the way he leaned back in his chair, one ankle crossed over the other knee, sent a shiver down her spine.
His presence was commanding, a stark contrast to the sterile, industrial environment. Rachel had always admired his confidence, the way he could make even the most chaotic situations seem manageable.
"You're staring," Sarah nudged her, breaking her out of her momentary trance. Sarah was always perceptive, her blue eyes missing nothing.
Rachel shrugged, trying to play it off. "Just daydreaming, you know how it gets after a long shift."
Sarah raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corner of her lips. "Daydreaming about Ed, maybe?"
Rachel felt her cheeks flush.
"Maybe," she admitted, biting her lower lip.
Sarah's smirk widened. "You know you can't just keep daydreaming about him, right? You need to do something about it. Life's too short to let these things slip away."
Rachel looked away, her eyes landing on Ed as he hung up the phone and stood, stretching his tall frame. "Easier said than done. He's my boss, Sarah. And he's married."
Sarah waved a dismissive hand. "So what? You're not married.