Page 56 of When Sparks Fly

“Yeah, yeah,” I mutter, standing and making my way from our table to the edge of the patio. The outdoor tables have filled up, thanks to the beautiful evening.

Sutton steps up onto the sidewalk near the patio, still talking into his phone. “Ok, Mama. We’ll figure something out.”

Pressing my back against the wall where the fence is attached, I lean one hip against the metal. “Hey, Cowboy.”

Sutton’s eyes fly to me and a wide grin takes over. His eyes light up. “Alright, Mama. I’m here picking up food. I’ll be home soon.” He stops in front of me, saying, “Love you, too,” before pocketing his phone.

“Firecracker.” Something like relief is infused in the word.

His nickname for me sliding off his tongue reminds me of last night.

“How are you?”

“Better now.” He’s practically touching the fence. No more than an inch separates us. “I thought you were headed back to Austin.” His eyes catalog my face appreciatively. There’s no way for me to stop the flush sweeping over my skin. He smirks knowingly.

I gesture over my shoulder with my chin. “Taco Tuesday.”

After a beat, his gaze follows, as does mine, to Leah and Izzy who wave at him. He places a hand on his hat and tips his head forward in acknowledgment. His eyes skim the bricked patio, then slide up my body to my face.

Jesus, it’s hot. Where did that breeze go?

“Everything ok with your mom?” I have to diffuse this tension before one of us jumps this flimsy ass fence.

“Yeah. She’s stressed because the photographer who was going to take photos at the Fall Festival had to cancel and she hasn’t been able to find a replacement.”

“Oh.” It occurs to me then that he doesn’t know what I do. “When is it?”

“Next Saturday.”

“I can help.” I blurt the offer without considering. I know I don’t have anything scheduled that weekend as far as photography goes, but that doesn’t mean I have any idea what they need at the Fall Festival.

Sutton’s eyebrows pinch briefly. “You’re a photographer?”

“I am.”

He licks his lips and my eyes freeze on the movement. Only the grin that follows encourages me to meet his eyes again. “Ok.”

“Give your mom my number and we can work out the details.”

His eyebrows jump before he clears his throat. “Yeah. Or you can use me as the middle man.”

My brows dip. He doesn’t want me to talk to her? “Ok. Well, I guess get me load-in info, location, and time frame. And whatever packages they marketed. I’ll match them.”

“Mm. I kind of like Bossy Maci.” He’s smothering his sexy smirk again.

“Then be a good boy and do as I say.”

One eyebrow hikes. “What do I get if I’m good?” Before I can respond, he shakes his head quickly. “Never mind. Don’t tell me. I’m about to have dinner with my parents.”

I grin.

His eyes dart hungrily to my mouth. “I’m going to grab our food. Have fun.” Before walking away, he glances once more to my friends and then back at me. “And quit eye-fucking me or you’re going into the truck, too.”

Chapter 24

Sutton

After leaving Louisa’s with our order, I head straight home. It was just as hard to leave Maci there today as it was last night on her grandmother’s front porch.

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