Page 38 of When Sparks Fly

A nervous sensation springs up inside. My mom has never judged me for my mistakes in life. So why is there a tiny piece of me worried she may deem me crazy when the words in my head tumble out?

A sparkle lights her eyes, despite the low light. It hints at a held secret. Unconditional love radiates from her.

“I saw Maci tonight.”

A tiny flicker of surprise crosses her face, but it’s replaced quickly with a happy smile. “Oh? How is she?” She moves into the kitchen, leaning against the counter across from me.

“I’m gonna marry her.”

She nods knowingly and presents me with a proud smile.

My mom didn’t offer any other conversation to me. She gave my arm a gentle squeeze on her way out of the kitchen and left the reading lamp on as she headed down the hallway to bed. After a minute of quiet contemplation, Idowned another glass of water and then locked the front door behind me, making my way around to my entrance.

Already, I want to talk to Maci again. I find her name in my contacts, easily. She’s listed as ‘Maci’ as if she wanted me to find her. Before texting, I rename the listing.

Me:

I assume you made it home safely.

Less than a minute passes before three bubbles appear.

Firecracker:

Who’s asking?

Me:

Your trusty dance partner.

Firecracker:

Oh, yeah. There was some random guy I danced with tonight.

I did. I’m tucked safely in bed.

Me:

Good.

Sweet dreams, Firecracker.

Firecracker:

Good night, Cowboy. >TNT emoji<

Chapter 17

Maci

I’m blinded awake by the sun squeezing between the closed wooden blinds. The Grandmother clock opposite the foot of the bed indicates an hour before brunch. Which I’m hosting.

After a quick shower, I tie my hair up in my favorite style of braid and head into the kitchen to start cooking. Songs from dancing last night replay in my head and I hum them while I work.

The first time we met, Sutton seemed stoic. Last night, though, I’d felt like the only person in the world, important, as we danced.

Leah and Izzy arrive as I’m setting the French toast onto a tray in the oven to keep warm.

They hardly wait for me to yell, “Come in!” after knocking before I hear the door open, the handle smacking the wall.

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