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Hen’s entire face lit up with the smile that came to her face when she lay eyes on Karen. “Hey, I didn’t know you were meeting me.”
“Thought I’d see where you worked,” Karen said, returning her smile. “I hope that’s okay?”
“Of course!” Hen said, putting her hands in her jacket pockets. She frowned, took her hands out and put them in her trouser pockets. Finally she gave up and groaned. “I’ve left my keys on the table upstairs, I’ll be right back.”
Karen laughed. “I’m not going anywhere.”
As Hen raced back inside the firehouse, Karen stepped aside and waited for her, glancing at the other members of the 118 as they left. One person, an Asian man, stopped and looked at her curiously before walking over.
Once close enough, he asked, “Excuse me, are you Karen?”
Karen blinked in surprise, “Yes...”
The man grinned, clearly pleased with himself. “I knew it. I’m Chimney. I work with Hen on the ambulance.”
Ah! Hen had mentioned Chimney before, so that was a relief. It also reminded Karen she really needed to ask Hen whether Chimney was his surname or a nickname.
Chimney held out his hand, so Karen shook it. “Nice to meet you, Chimney.”
“Hen does not shut up about you,” Chimney said. “That’s how I knew who you were. Feels like I’ve already met you.”
“She… really?” Karen felt her face get warmer at the thought of Hen discussing her so fondly.
“The day after she met you, she kept telling me about this amazing rocket scientist she met,” Chimney explained, glancing at the firehouse entrance. His smile broadened and grew almost mischievous when he saw Hen rushing back. He continued, putting on a terrible impersonation of Hen, “Oh Chimney, she’s so clever and brilliant, I just want to talk to her for hours— Ow!”
Hen shouldered Chimney as she reached them and gave him a sharp look. “You talk too much, Chim.”
“Nice to meet you, Karen,” Chimney said, waving and rushing off before Hen could do more than glare.
“So,” Karen said, taking a step forward, “I hear you’ve been talking about me.”
“Well,” — Hen gave a shrug and took Karen’s hand — “why wouldn’t I? You are a brilliant rocket scientist.”
Karen stepped closer. “Well, I think you’re pretty wonderful, too.” She kissed Hen gently. “Take me back to yours?”
Hen agreed in a heartbeat.