Searching for Harmony: A Boston Love Novel by Kelly Elliott Page A

sat down. We talked the entire time we ate. He told me about growing up in Boston before his father retired to the country. He had two brothers and a sister. His favorite place to be was at his parents’ country house or on the ocean sailing.
    I decided to keep the conversation on Preston and he didn’t seem to mind.
    Lori walked over and placed the Nutella and Bananas down in front of us.
    “Dig in,” Preston said with a smile.
    Chewing on my bottom lip, I asked, “Um…is Nutella good?”
    Preston’s mouth dropped open as he stared at me.
    “You’ve never had Nutella? Like, ever?”
    Pressing my lips together so I didn’t giggle, I shook my head.
    Preston leaned back in his chair and put his hand over his heart. “I’ve so much to teach you. So much.”
    Swallowing hard, I felt my face flush.
    Oh, the things I wanted Preston to teach me.

Chapter 10
Nutella and Baseball

Preston
    Sitting back in the chair, I stared at Harmony in disbelief. That is, until her eyes turned dark and she licked her lips. Leaning forward again, I cleared my throat. “I can’t believe you’ve never had the pleasure of eating Nutella. This is a landmark occasion. You’re gonna wanna put this down on your calendar as the day I changed your life.”
    Harmony laughed and picked up the brioche and took a bite. Her eyes lit up before she closed them and she let out a moan that moved through my entire body.
    Friends. Just friends.
    “Holy crap. This is amazing. It’s like…chocolate!”
    Laughing, I picked up my brioche and gestured to her. “I told you, it’s the most amazing dessert ever.”
    After finishing up our desserts, we headed over to the station. I wasn’t sure why Harmony wanted to see where I worked, but it warmed my heart. Sherry never once asked to see where I worked. She of course did see where I worked, but she couldn’t have cared less. She hated what I did, but I loved it. I was proud of my job. At least I used to be. Now all I had were mixed emotions and I felt like I wasn’t sure about anything anymore.
    Stopping in front of the station, I gave Harmony a weak smile. “This is it. Engine 37 and Ladder 26.” Smiling back at me, she asked the one question I was hoping she wouldn’t.
    “Can we go inside?”
    Tightening my hands into fists, I quickly loosened them. “Um, sure, if you want to.”
    The bay doors were open so we walked in. Immediately in front of us was Sharp. Cursing under my breath, I slowly inhaled and let it back out.
    Turning, Sharp gave me a smile from ear to ear. “Ward, you don’t know what it means to take a day off.”
    Letting out a nervous laugh, I tilted my head and raised an eyebrow. Stopping directly in front of Sharp and a few other guys, I said a silent prayer they wouldn’t put two and two together. Sharp walked away from the other guys, who were all playing a card game.
    “Mitchel Sharp, this is Harmony Banks, a friend of mine. She wanted to see where I worked.”
    Reaching his hand out for Harmony’s, Sharp gave her a polite smile. “Harmony, huh? That’s a beautiful name.”
    Harmony blushed and changed her posture just a bit. “I can’t take the credit on that one. My mother came up with it.”
    I watched as Sharp’s eyes moved across Harmony’s body. Glancing back at me, he said, “So you guys are just friends, huh?”
    Before I even had a chance to respond, Harmony laughed. “Yes! Very much just friends. Preston is being a gentleman of a guy and spending the day with me to cure my hangover.”
    I wasn’t sure why Harmony’s words hurt more than I thought they should. Sharp smiled bigger. “I see. So, Harmony, how about I show you around?”
    Smiling, Harmony went to speak but looked at me. Her smile faded briefly before she turned and looked around. That’s when I noticed the pain in my jaw from clenching my teeth together.
    “I’ve always wondered what a firehouse looked like on the inside. So this is it, huh?”
    “This is it,” I said as I glared at