Page 40 of Spark

Mia nodded, her mind filled with worry. Was this it? Did he just want to hook up in some fancy car and be done withher? She hid her face, suppressing a sniffle, from him as a single tear rolled down her cheek. As she watched the scenery slowly roll by, she felt his hand on her thigh. It was turned palm up, a silent request for her to hold it. Aurelio's eyes were fixed on the road. Mia stared at it, surprised, but she placed her hand gently into his. He let out a slow breath, giving her a soft squeeze and placing a gentle kiss along her knuckles. She smiled, wanting to giggle like a schoolgirl. The notion of this muscled-up, tattooed man gently kissing her knuckles was unexpected. Aurelio caught her staring at him.

“What's funny?” he asked, turning into the shop’s parking lot.

“All of this.” A giggle escaped her mouth, and Aurelio frowned.

“All of what?” '

“All of it!” she insisted. “I mean, look at us. I can't believe we are here.”

“I know.” He grinned. “But I'm happy we are.”

“Me, too. Is this my exit?” she inquired as the car stopped by the door.

“In a moment,” Aurelio said sadly. “My car is over there; I have to drop this off, and I will pick you up.”

Mia sighed, gathering her belongings before reaching for the door. As she pulled her hand out of his, he gripped her tighter.

“Mia.” His voice was strained.

“Yes, Aurelio?”

His eyes were conflicted as he examined her face like he was trying to memorize each feature. “I will be right back,” he finally said, swallowing hard as if he was pushing down what he really wanted to say.

“Gotcha.” Mia forced a smile to her lips. The door slid open, and she climbed out onto the sidewalk. The car drove off, speeding to the shipyard. The wind was harsh; she tucked her arms around herself, hugging her bag to her chest. Her phone chimed, and Mia's brow furrowed as she stared at the new messages.

David:You better have lost service. And you’re not calling me back because you are driving here. Anything else will be a write-up, and your perfect record will be tarnished! ??????

Mia's eyes rolled involuntarily; David just had that effect on people. She knew she wouldn't be there until at least five thirty, and that was if they sped the whole time. Which, with Aurelio, seemed like a legitimate possibility. Her frown quickly turned up at the thought of being in a car with him again.

The faint sounds of machinery played over the sound of waves crashing on the docks. Holding her glasses in her teeth, she pulled pins free from her hair to twist it into a neat bun. Was it the most glamorous look? No, but it was how she normally wore it at the diner. A grey Challenger pulled into the parking lot, stopping right in front of Mia. The windows were tinted dark, making it impossible to see inside. The window rolled down, revealing a skinny seventeen-year-old behind the wheel.

“Mac?” Mia asked, shocked and a little disappointed.

“Hey!” He had a big smile on his face. Mac was a sweet kid, but he was the definition of a teenager, cracking jokes and showing off anytime there was a girl in sight.

Sighing, Mia reached for the handle, not needing an invite.

“Um...” Mac’s bright blue eyes were hiding something. “Aurelio said to bring you to the diner. Please buckle up.” Hiswhole demeanor screamed “nervous;” his hands firmly gripped the ten and two positions of the wheel.

“Mac.” Mia put a hand on his outstretched arm. “Relax, it’s me.” At her touch, Mac shifted, her hand sliding off his arm.

“Mia, please just put on the seatbelt,” Mac repeated, an awkward chuckle escaping his lips.

She crossed her arms, staring at him. “No. Look at me.”

Slowly, he turned to meet her gaze, a forced smile on his lips.

“What is the problem here?”

“No problem, Mia,” Mac answered automatically. “I just can't leave until you’re buckled in properly.”

“What? Why? And why are you so tense? Relax!”

“Mia,” His eyes looked around, still looking nervous. “Aurelio was very specific in his instructions.” He leaned a little closer, whispering like he was afraid he was revealing secret information. “He said, 'Keep your hands on the wheel, eyes on the road, and do not move until she is buckled.'”

Mac shifted back to his very formal driving position, hands gripping the wheel so hard his knuckles were white. “So, that's what I'm doing. Please? Buckle up?” His tone was more of a question than a statement, but Mia obliged.

“Fine. But if you keep acting like this, I'm going to tell Aurelio you tried to kiss me,” she bluffed.

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