Page 10 of She’s Got that Spark

“No, Sparky. It’s you.”

Every time he kisses me, I feel something different. This time there’s something urgent in his breath. In the way he clutches my back to pull me closer and the way our lips part so naturally, needing to taste the other.

My heart beats faster as real feelings wash through me. I’m falling for him, super hard. Every single thing about Crow makes me want him more. Need him more. Not just physically, but…

Crow breaks off the kiss, lightly stroking my back. “Are you okay? You feel a little…I don’t know. Flustered.”

“No, I’m good.”

It’s amazing to see such a sweet smile on a guy who some people might think was big and scary. “I want you to know that I’m fine taking my time with this. With us. I’m not in a rush.”

My fingers run around the neckline of his t-shirt. “Well, thank you, but… Maybe I am?”

His deep eyes blaze. “Interesting.” His phone buzzes with an old-fashioned alarm bell. “That’s the two minute warning to get you back to work.”

Okay, what kind of man is that considerate? It’s crazy. Crow walks me through the shop, and I pause in front of the t-shirt display. “You know, I had no idea you sold t-shirts. If you put some of these in the window, I’m sure you’d sell more.”

He nods, staring between the t-shirt rack and the large front window. “Yeah. Maybe you’re right.”

“Put the funniest shirts front and center and add tags saying ‘Fun t-shirts make great birthday gifts!’or something.”

He laughs, putting his arm around me and squeezing. “You’re a brilliant marketing person.”

“Thank you. But I’m also a girl who likes weird accessories, and here I was working right across the street and I had no idea you sell leather bangles. Not to mention, it would get people in the door and they can see exactly what the shop is like. You know, for those folks who still think tattoos are a big mystery.”

“You make many excellent points.” He unlocks the front door and walks me arm-in-arm across the street. Then Crow stops suddenly, looking around. “Emma, have you ever heard any gossip about me?”

“No. Why?”

He shakes his head, sending a few chunks of jet-black hair flying. “Sometimes I wonder if people still gossip about how both my uncle and I went to school too far away and lived away from town for a while.”

“I’ll keep an ear to the ground if you’d like, but also…” Stretching up, my hands wind around the back of his neck as I kiss him. “I’m on a mission to live my own life my way. So other people can take their opinions and shove them up – err, I mean, fling them over a rainbow.”

His head tips back as he laughs hugely, then he leans in to kiss me again. “Such provocative behavior and language from the sweet young lass at the café,” he says, brushing our noses together. “My saucy, sexy Sparky.”

As I start to walk away, he lightly taps my ass while giving it a squeeze. I glance back in surprise, catching the look of hunger in his dark eyes. Crow wants me. Like, really, seriously wants me.

And there is zero doubt in my heart – not to mention everywhere else – that I want him.

All of him.

6

CROW

Emma was completely right. I spent an hour arranging the window display to show off five of the funniest t-shirts right after our lunch, and I’ve sold one already. It’s a tiny thing, yet it feels symbolic. Not just a sign that I need help with marketing and advertising, but that Emma is good for me. As if I had any doubt.

I just hope I can be good for her, too. I’ve been so afraid to screw up in the eyes of the town that I’ve been keeping pretty much to myself the past few years, even though I’ve always wanted to make a real home here in Cedarville, and welcome people into my space and create a community for the tattoo enthusiasts. Which usually are the rockers, the punks and the weirdos. You know – my people.

Wandering around the storeroom, I find a couple of small pieces of wood. Not a very interesting display shelf by itself, but all it takes is twenty minutes and a marker to re-create a bunch of classic sailor tattoos along the length and front edges of them. With the addition of some eyelets and fishing line, the slightly precarious shelf floats right against the window. It’s just strongenough to hold several wrist cuffs, some wild sunglasses, and a few hair clips.

Now I just need some signage.

Is there any chance you have a few minutes after work to help me with a project you inspired?

It only takes about ten minutes for her to respond, which means she’s been checking her phone. That’s a good sign.

Emma: For sure! See you at 6:30.

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