Call Tyrell

Emma made her way back to Jake's room and found her phone. She looked at the screen blankly as she steeled her nerves. Then she dialed Tyrell's number.

Emma hadn't felt this nervous about talking to a man in a long time. Her heart rate accelerated, and she mouthed the word "Firefighter." That didn't help and her heart began to race.

Tyrell's voice interrupted the ringing of the phone, "Hello?"

Emma took a quick breath in, trying to ward off the anxiety that was welling up in her chest, "Hi, Ty? It's Emma. We met yesterday."

"I remember you," Ty said in a seductive way. He either felt none of the pressure and fear that Emma had, or he was much better at hiding it. "I was hoping you'd call. How are you doing?"

"Good, for the most part." Emma said, then went in to explaining the party last night. They laughed and joked about it, made some more small talk, and Emma asked about Ty's test. He had apparently felt he did very well on it, but wouldn't get the results for a day or two.

The more the two talked, the easier it became. Emma settled down, mostly thanks Ty's easy way of talking and guiding the conversation, and she was feeling a bit silly for being so nervous in the first place.

As the conversation slowed and felt like they'd both be saying their goodbyes soon, Ty surprised Emma. "What are you doing right now?" He asked.

"Just talking to you. My family's around, but busy, so I figured I'd call you and talk. Haven't really planned beyond that."

"Let me take you to lunch," Ty said.

Still full from breakfast, and her recovering stomach not quite ready to deal with more food, Emma declined. "I just had breakfast."

Tyrell laughed. "Breakfast? Must have been some party. It's past noon. Well let me take you out for a coffee. Or anywhere." Ty said, a hint of nervousness finally showing in his voice.

"Why Tyrell, are you asking me on a date?" Emma teased, happy that she wasn't the only one to be nervous.

"Yes, but I'm not dressed up, and I can't be an EMT until I get my test results, so it's going to be a very laid back date. In other words I'm broke." Ty explained.

Emma laughed and said, "I'm after you because you're going to be a firefighter, not your money."

Ty sighed, "I'm taking that as a yes."

Emma laughed again and said, "Hold on cowboy, I haven't agreed to anything yet." Then she paused, teasing Ty and holding him in suspense.