Page 70 of The Spark Between Us

Chapter Twenty-Six

Braden

I leanedagainst the passenger door of my truck, as had become my habit at the end of every workday. Maybe my life had become too much of a grind without enough surprises. Maybe I’d forgotten that it was possible to be happy.

But since Sarah had moved in with me, happiness seemed within reach.

And it freaks you the hell out, admit it.

For the first few weeks, I wasn’t sure what to make of any of it. I just reveled in the fact that I could feel again for the first time in two years.

Then I started to crave the feeling like an addict.

For weeks it was easy to live in the present like we’d agreed upon when we made our rules. Six months felt like an eternity. There was no reason to think ahead. Six months of fun and great sex would surely satisfy my needs, and there was no need to think about what my life would be like when she moved back to Berkeley.

But I was starting to think. Then I was doing my damnedest not to think. Because it didn’t get me anywhere. The whole point of us was to live in the present and not think.

Sure, just keep telling yourself that.

All I knew was that standing outside the lab each afternoon had become a highlight of my day. Every time Sarah walked through the double doors at the entrance, my heart swelled to the point that the ache was almost painful. I marveled at how much I liked this woman, how much I wanted her, how much I...could not fall for her.

Except that I already had.

Today, Sarah wasn’t alone when she came through the doors. Walking next to her was a man, slightly older but easily the silver fox type who probably had his pick of women. He had a full head of white hair and a solid build, no middle-aged paunch or sag about him. He was laughing at something Sarah said, and his perfect teeth glinted in the sunlight.

When they got to the driveway, Sarah turned and hugged him. For a little too long, if I’m honest. Then he kissed her on the cheek and went back into the building. She bounded over to me and her lips sunk into mine. I almost forgot about the silver fox. Almost.

“Hi! I’m very excited about our field trip.” She wrapped her arms around my waist and looked up at me, eyes sparkling.

I’d forgotten that I’d couched my plan in the form of a field trip. At the time, I’d thought it sounded bookish and scientific. Now, my eyes still saw the silhouette of the silver fox when I looked at Sarah.

“Who was he?” I made no pretense of my distaste for the man she’d hugged, even though I knew it was irrational. For months, she’d spent almost every night with me. It wasn’t physically possible for her to be dating other people—there was no time in the day.

Except that there was time. Every day. How did I know what—or who—she did at work all day long?

This is crazy. Irrational. Get a grip.

Sarah was looking at me like I’d grown an extra set of arms and was using them to signal alien aircraft. “He? You mean Earl?”

Earl? What kind of a name was that? Was he an actual earl? “I dunno. The guy you walked out with. I’ve never seen you with any of your colleagues.”

“Oh, yeah. He wanted to keep talking, and I didn’t want you to be waiting out here forever, so he walked me out.” She didn’t want to keep me waiting. The jealous guy she was sleeping with. I needed to chill.

“Got it. So how was your day?”

A grin spread over her face. “Great, thanks for asking.”

I opened her door and waited until she hopped in. She’d given me enough grief over the past few months that I’d finally decided to dispense with grabbing her hand and helping her in. But she hesitated, turning her aqua eyes up to me. “I know, I know. You’re a capable woman. I’m not trying to help you into the truck,” I grumbled.

Pressing her lips together, she couldn’t suppress her smile. “I guess I...I kind of got used to it.”

“Does that mean my self-sufficient damsel likes a helping hand?” It was hard to hide my smirk.

“I guess I like your helping hand.”

“Then Damsel, I’m at your service.” With a slight bow, I helped her into the truck, loving that I’d bent her to my will a tiny bit. There was no doubt in my mind she could climb into the truck. It was never about that. I liked the formality of chivalry, almost like a courtship dance, and I liked having her as my partner.

After I’d pulled away from the lab, Sarah turned to me. “Hey, how come you never pick me up on the motorcycle? That could be fun.”

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