Page 5 of Sparks Still Fly

“I mean, who doesn’t love a good All-American girl?” He sticks out his bottom lip in a pout I’d like to bite, and it nearly distracts me from the blasphemy he’s spewing.

“Ugh! Who doesn’t love a small-town Canadian girl? You’re out of your mind, Owen James.”

“All right. You can only pick one: Garth Brooks or Tim McGraw?” His lips twitch in a way that tells me he’s getting a kick out of this, and I respond with a loud gasp, clutching my chest in mock horror.

“I could never! Could you?” My eyes widen with sincere concern for his sanity because there’s no way to pick.

He shakes his head, and my concern washes away, my hand lowering to the cup of tea on the table.

I raise a finger in the air. “Mmm! I’ve got one. The Dixie Chicks or The Judds?”

“Easy,” he responds. “The Chicks. “Wide Open Spaces” alone solidifies that for me.”

A giggle works its way up my chest at his sincere and quick response. “Wow, okay. Strong opinions on The Dixie Chicks. Noted.” I smile brightly, a low chuckle still working its way through me.

Things go on like this for a while longer. We argue playfully about which ‘90s country music stars we love most, and the sound of his laughter slowly fills every crack in my heart. Even if just temporarily.

march, 9 years ago

“Tell me something funny.” He’s in a great mood today, and it’s apparent in everything about his demeanour. His shoulders are relaxed, his smile is a little wider than usual, and his green eyes have an extra sparkle to them.

“Oh, you’re not ready for this,” I say. That gets his smile to grow impossibly wider. “My middle name is Charlotte.” His smile fades, and his brows furrow in confusion. I give him a minute to catch up.

“What, like your twin sister’s first name?” I nod. “Your middle name is your twin sister’s first name?” I nod again. He sputters a laugh. “And what? Don’t tell me… Charlotte’s middle name is Maeve?” For the third time, I nod. He throws his head back, a laugh exploding out of him. All I can do is stare.

Blimey, he’s beautiful.

What I wouldn’t give to see this every day for the rest of my life—Owen James, laughing without a care in the world.

Once his laughter subsides, I explain the situation. “My mum said she had two girls’ names picked out, and she was convinced one of us would be a boy since we’re fraternal twins, and she couldn’t think of any other girl names she liked enough, so…here we are.” I shrug as if it’s completely normal. “So, what’s yours, O?”

He licks his bottom lip, and I have to cross my legs. The man is sex on legs. “Agamemnon.” My vagina immediately shrivels up. That…is not what I was expecting. He’s silent for a beat, giving it time to really sink in.

“Doug and Eva really did that to you? They named you Owen Agamemnon James?” I can’t even find it in me to laugh. I feel a little bad for him.

“They really did. And somehow my little sister got Helen. A perfectly normal middle name.” He shakes his head as he lets out a sigh.

“Looks like both of our parents did us dirty with the middle names.” I laugh and breathe a sigh of relief when he joins me. I may not have a wildly traditional Greek middle name, but you better believe people made fun of Charlie and me as kids once they found ours out.

He hums a response, eyeing me in a way I’ve never seen before. He really is in a strange mood today. It’s good, but it’s not a side of Owen I’ve really gotten to experience.

“Tell me something good.” God, I love it when he says that. It’s so sweet and endearing and all kinds of cute. It’s so at odds with nearly everything else about him, which is hot, sexy, and wildly sensual without trying to be.

“All right, well, I passed all of my midterms. That feels pretty good.” It’s lame. Who cares about my midterms? He’s deployed somewhere in the Middle East, and I’m talking about stupid tests.

“Of course you did, sunshine. You’re so smart.” He smiles, and my insides turn into mush. I may be inexperienced, but the throbbing in my core doesn’t lie. It tells me exactly what I want, and that’s Owen.

Quit thinking with your minge and use your brain!

“What about you? Tell me something good.” I’ve never turned it around on him before, always too afraid that it’ll bring the conversation down when it feels like my only job is to try to bring him a little bit of joy. But with the playful mood he’s in, today feels safe.

With a cute smirk, he looks straight into the camera and says, “I’m coming home next month.”

Cue my jaw dropping to the floor.

april, 9 years ago

“Maevey, come on! Let’s go!” Bon is impatiently waiting for me at the front door. Owen is coming to visit today. He just landed on American soil three days ago, and after a very quick visit with their parents, he’s here. He’s here. In New York.

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