Taren stepped out of her reach and adjusted his tux. “What are you doing here?”

Through the doors to the ballroom, Dylan, Patrick, Erica, and other firefighters watched, ready if he needed them. Although he appreciated their concern, he just wished they would stay out of it.

“You invited me.” Scarlett pushed out her lower lip. But he was no longer a child, and her silly games no longer worked on him.

“No, I didn’t.” Taren shrugged out of her grasp and tried to walk past her, headed toward the ballroom, but she grabbed his arm and swung him around. “Scarlett, just leave. No one wants you here.” He turned...