Page 36 of Spark

“I agree, but we need to have open minds,” Mia said. “And our hands tied to chairs.”

“Oh, that's probably true,” Aurelio agreed. “Something about you drives me crazy.”

She laughed; he obviously didn't realize he did the same to her. “Trust me, the feeling is mutual.” She chuckled as her mind conjured the images she had dreamed about the night prior. Her mouth moved before she could stop herself. “All I could think about in class was you.” Her eyes shut in embarrassment, her cheeks flushing.

“Yeah, the job's been tough today,” he finally said. “Every time I get behind a wheel, I just want to speed towards you.”

Mia’s lips curved upward even as her phone pinged. Class was starting in five minutes. “Shit,” she breathed. “I have to go.” She didn't want to hang up.

He sighed, “I have to focus on the road anyway.” The sound of him shifting gears and the engine revving made Mia raise her brows.

“Seriously, driving and on the phone?” She placed a hand on her forehead. “Are you trying to get pulled over?”

Aurelio's laugh was loud, genuine. “That's a good one, beautiful! As if they could catch me!”

She smiled. “I won't have a chance to call until after my shift at the diner,” she told him, grabbing her bag to head to the lecture hall. “Did you still want to stop by tonight?”

“Yeah, I want to try. Unfortunately, I can't promise anything. I have one more place to go today, and depending on how that goes…” The sentence trailed off, and Mia's mind instantly raced with worry.

“Are you in danger?” she asked, hand over her mouth, talking quietly.

“Not if I do my job right,” he answered. “But for you, I will be extra careful.”

“Well, I guess that will have to do. I don't want to hang up,” she confessed, her voice like a pouting child’s.

“I know, beautiful,” he chuckled. “But we have to. Talk soon.” He clicked the phone off before she had a chance to answer. Had that been a siren she had heard in the background as he hung up?

The next two classes went by in a blur. Mia really liked her third class, child psychology. That was what she was hoping to focus her career on. She quickly raced to the last class of the day and reached the door just as the professor pushed it open, smacking her in the face as she walked out.

“Oh my!” Professor Soara exclaimed, grabbing Mia's wrist. “My dear, I am so terribly sorry!” Once she was steady, Soara released her wrist, and Mia put a hand on her forehead, which was sore on both sides.

“It's okay, Professor,” Mia said, glancing into the empty classroom. “Where is everyone?”

“Did you not get the email?”

“Oh, no. I'm sorry, my day has been crazy.” Mia slid her phone out of her pocket to check her email. With a quick glance, she saw two emails from the professor. “Oh, I did get them!” The phone vibrated in her hand. It was an unknown number again, but she ignored the call. “Is everything okay?”

“Oh, yes, but I have been called away from the school for a few weeks,” Professor Soara disclosed, locking the lecture hall.

“I have to go back east for a couple of weeks, so the class will be virtual for the remainder of the year.” Mia swallowedhard; she needed this T.A. position. “Don't worry, dear. I will still need your help.”

“Great, I mean, I hope everything is okay?” Professor Soara's family was in New Hampshire.

“We shall see. I am taking this week to get settled there, so the students are doing a small paper on the last book we covered. I will need you to check in with them through email. Next week, I will be using some previously recorded classes and discussion forums to finish the year.” The professor led the way to the cafe. “It's entirely up to you if you want to be in the building or at home for the classes. I don't think I will need you to do anything here for me. But I will be giving you your full T.A credit.”

Mia smiled; that was a huge relief. Without the credit, she would have to stay another year in school. [SS7]

“Thank you, Professor Soara. I really appreciate it.”

“You are going to be one of the best child psychologists our field has ever seen.”

“Wow.” Mia was stunned. “Thank you.”

“My dear, it has been my pleasure.” Professor Soara nodded and left.

Mia was in disbelief; her whole school career just got a lot easier. She would still have to help the students and put in the effort, but she had ninety minutes of freedom every day. She was beside herself with joy. Giddy with excitement, she found herself reaching for her phone, wanting to call Aurelio. She remembered the missed call. It wasn't Aurelio's nor Detective Daniels’ number. She hit her voicemail button, hearing Oliver's velvety voice over the line.[SS8]

“Hey, Mia. It's Oliver.” There was a brief pause like he wasn't sure how he wanted to identify himself “I'm sorry aboutyesterday. If you have time, we would love to talk with you about what you saw in the park. Call me back.” The line clicked, and she stared at the screen, weirded out by the vibes she was getting from him.

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