Page 41 of Sparks Still Fly

The color of her hair now reminds me of honey. It’s a warmer blonde than it used to be all those years ago when I mostly saw her through a computer screen.

“We still have some time before the sunset. There’s a honey company close by that sells loose leaf teas. That’s where I got the English Breakfast for you, so we can pick up some more.” I’m on a real roll, so I just keep rambling. My sister and I don’t have much more than our green eyes in common. That and our ability to ramble like absolute idiots at the worst of times. “They have these honey stick things you’d probably like. I think they’re meant for kids, but they’re really good. They didn’t have any left when you got into town or I would have left you some. Wanna try them?”

By the time I finish, the small smile on her face is a full-blown grin. I can’t look for too long. I’d never look away. Thank fuck I’m driving.

“Sure, O. Let’s go.” Goddamn, I love it when she calls me O. Fuck, she could call me asshole, and I’d probably still love it.

I thought we’d drive in silence again, but the bookstore seems to have loosened us both up enough to have a conversation.

“How long have you lived in Ojai?” She plays with the hem of her shorts, looking straight ahead.

“Just a few months. It took a while to find the right house.”

“Hmm. And you like it here?” She looks at me, but just as fast as she turned toward me, she’s back to looking out the windshield.

“Oh yeah. It’s a great little town. And I’m not too far from Lainey or Raf, so it’s kind of perfect.” We get to The Honey Place quickly, but I wish we had a longer drive now that she’s talking to me.

“Seems like it.” There’s something different in her voice, but I don’t have time to ask about it as I’m pulling into the parking lot. Not that she would answer me, anyway.

We quietly exit the truck and walk into the shop through the creaky wood door.

“Owen! You’re back!” Josie, one of the owners, waves as she sees me walking in. At over six feet tall, her hug packs some force when she comes over to me. She slaps me once on the cheek by way of greeting, and I scowl. She just laughs, mumbling grump under her breath.

“Hey, Jo. How you doing?” As I look up, Maeve has her lips between her teeth, clearly enjoying this little display.

“Oh, I saved you a box of that English Breakfast tea you got for your super special lady friend last time. It’s the last one!” My cheeks heat as she produces said box from somewhere under the counter.

Maeve takes the box before I can, opens it, and holds it up to her nose, breathing in deeply. Her eyes close and she makes that damn humming noise I can’t get out of my brain.

“His super special lady friend thanks you. Your tea is absolutely delightful.” Maeve smiles brightly at Jo, which doesn’t surprise me at all.

“Josie. But Jo’s fine, too. Really nice to finally meet you.” Jo wipes her hand on her apron and sticks it out for Maeve. I can’t decide if Josie has no idea who Maeve is, or she truly doesn’t care. Either way, I appreciate her a little more at this moment, despite the fact that she just outed me.

“Maeve. Pleasure.” Maeve shakes her hand, still smiling.

“You know, Owen, if you weren’t such a grumpy bastard, I might feel bad about this.” I roll my eyes at her, but considering she’s married to the grumpiest man I’ve ever met, I know my attitude doesn’t faze her in the least.

“No, you wouldn’t, Jo.” I reach for the pack of honey sticks next to the cash register. Then I reach for a second as Jo laughs.

“Just your usual, then?” I nod and give her a few bills that I know more than cover everything. She used to argue with me, but now she calls it her compensation for putting up with my terrible personality.

“See you next week, then,” Jo calls as I walk back out toward the door. I like that I don’t have to bother with small talk here. I don’t like most people, but the folks of Ojai have slowly managed to crawl under my skin, and I might be a little less grumpy with them than I am with the LA crowd.

“Thank you,” Maeve calls out as she follows me out.

Once we’re back on the road she turns to me again. “Since when are you the town grump?”

“Since I moved here, I guess?” I shrug, not thinking much about her question. I’ve always been told I’m closed off and grumpy. This is nothing new.

“I don’t understand. You’ve always been a bit serious, but... grumpy? Not a word I would have used to describe you until recently.” She laughs again, and the sound makes something expand in my chest. It’s not a tight, heavy feeling. No, this is light and feels an awful lot like relief.

“People like you, my mom and Lainey don’t often see this side of me. Not like the rest of the world does.” There’s a quizzical look on her face.

“What does that mean?” I really need to learn how to keep my mouth shut today. We’re on a straight stretch of road, so I chance a look at her for a second longer than I might otherwise.

“People I’m comfortable with. People I like. I’m not grumpy with the people that make me happiest. It’s easy to smile when I’m happy.”

She opens her mouth to speak, then closes it again. She looks down at her hands, then out the passenger window. “Oh.”

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