BUT DADDY I LOVE HIM, ᵉᵛᵃⁿ ᵇᵘᶜᵏˡᵉʸ

051

"Uh, who should I have him drop off first—me or you?" Buck slurred.

Hen stared at Buck for a moment. "I ordered the uber, Buck."

Buck groaned. "She kept ordering drinks."

"So you kissed her?" Hen asked.

"Nah. No, she kissed me." Buck said.

"And?" Hen asked.

"And I said no..." Buck trailed off. "I think."

Hen raised an eyebrow. "You think?"

"I-I don't know." Buck sighed. "I think I may have kissed her back."

"Buck!" Hen scolded.

"I know, I know." Buck said. "Do you think I should tell Rylin about this?"

"I think you should be honest with her." Hen said. "You were technically supposed to be waiting for her."

"Yeah." Buck nodded.

"You should tell her—unless...unless you plan on kissing Lucy again." Hen said.

"I didn't plan on kissing her the first time." Buck said. "You know, it just...it just happened."

"Tell Rylin." Hen told him. "You're a terrible liar. She'll figure it out on her own if you don't."

"Okay, you're making me nauseous." Buck said. "I'm gonna need you to pick a side."

"Honesty." Hen said. "Honesty is the best policy. Also, it's the easiest to remember."

"Everybody upstairs." Bobby announced, walking through the firehouse. "Rundown in five. I've got some announcements to make."

"Hey, what was the deal with Eddie at the bar the other night?" Ravi asked, Rylin walking in beside him.

"Wait, you saw him?" Rylin asked. Before anyone could respond she sensed someone looking at her.

It was Buck.

She raised an eyebrow, hoping he'd explain. Instead, he continued the conversation about Eddie. "I texted him. I just thought he was a no-show."

"Well, I saw him in the parking lot, and he just kind of blew me off." Ravi said.

"Weird." Buck hummed.

"Why do I get the feeling that man is one of the announcements?" Hen said as she and the team looked at Jonah, who was facing everyone.

"Morning, everyone." Bobby greeted. "As you all know, we've been two people light these last few months. We've had some great people fill in, but I think it's time to stop the revolving door."

"You all know Jonah. He's been with us for a few shifts. He's done an excellent job. And he'll be our new paramedic."

Rylin nearly let a chuckle slip as she heard Hen curse under her breath.

"Thanks, Captain." Jonah smiled. "I'm really happy to be here."

"Doesn't seem so bad." Buck whispered. "He'll probably be a good partner."

"That's if she doesn't kill him first." Rylin joked.

"So, who's gonna be the other one?" Ravi asked.