Summary

Chapter 1 opens in Austin, Texas. Cassie Hanwell, a 26-year-old firefighter with the Austin Fire Department, is the protagonist and narrator. She has been chosen to receive a prestigious award for valor, given by the city. At the awards event, she sits at a table with her fellow firefighters. During the awards event, a handsome fellow firefighter named Hernandez sexually propositions Cassie. He says that she seems to be a very lonely person. Cassie, who has an aversion to sex and romance, is indeed lonely. She is surprised by the proposition, but she is almost tempted to accept it. She then realizes that Hernandez is playing a prank on her. When it is time for Cassie to receive her award, she becomes shocked and scared when it is announced that the award will be given to her by city councilman Heath Thompson.

In Chapter 2, Cassie...