Page 112 of Spark

Mia was already crying as she helped wheel Melvin's luggage while he looked through his phone for the boarding passes. Matty was unusually quiet; Mia had tried to talk to him on the way to the airport, only receiving grunts and “uh-huhs” in response. Now he appeared pale, glancing around anxiously. Wiping her eyes, Mia stood in front of him.

“What’s wrong with you?” she asked just as a voice yelled from behind her. Matty dropped his bag and ran, Tony sprinting down the length of the airport. Mia gasped as they met, their mouths melting into each other. She watched her brother lift Tony, spinning him around.

“Anthony!” Matty yelled, his eyes glistening. “You came.”

“Of course I did, Matthew!” Tony replied, kissing Matty again. “I love you, you big idiot.” Mia placed her hand over her mouth, watching the two men kiss and profess their love. Her heart gave a soft patter. Melvin stepped forward, but Mia shot her hand out to stop him.

“Wait,” she said softly. “Give him a minute.” Melvin nodded, stepping back.

She watched as the men exchanged words and tears. Matty pulled Tony close, wrapping his hands around his waist. Tony asked him something, and suddenly Matty nodded, lifting Tony into the air once more. They ran over to the others, hand in hand.

“I’m not coming back yet,” Matty said, breathless. “I’m staying for a little while longer.” He eyed Tony, who smiled wide.

“At least until I sell the café,” Tony added. Mia smiled, tears welling in her eyes again.

“Well, Mia can take your ticket,” Melvin said matter-of-factly. Mia looked at him, shaking her head.

“No, I can’t,” she replied, stepping back from Melvin.

“Yes, you can and should,” Melvin insisted. “Mia, leave this place. Come home.”

“Melvin, Aurelio’s here.”

“Where?” he asked, his tone cruel, breaking her already shattered heart further.

“BFG, this isn’t funny.”

“I’m not joking, bug.” Melvin leaned down, wrapping his arms around her. “Come home, be with your family.”

“Aurelio is my family,” she said, her eyes set, the tears gone. “He is my future, my hopes, my dreams.”

“Mia,” Melvin began, but Mikey punched him.

“Go,” Mikey urged. “Come home when, if, you want.” She smiled at Mikey as he took the suitcase from her hands.

“Go, be with your future. Your past will always be there.” Mikey leaned in, hugging Mia tightly. She smiled, turning to Melvin and holding his nose.

“I love you, BFG,” she said, throwing her arms around him. “I will come home, I promise. But I need to see this through.” Melvin nodded, smiling. The two of them made their way to security, Mia waving as they departed.

Matty drove home with Tony, heading to Tony’s place. Mia found herself alone in her loft once more. The space felt empty, all too wide. The air mattress was rolled up in the corner, the blankets folded neatly. As she walked around the room, memories flooded her mind.

Mia took out her phone, her last messages with Aurelio popping up. It had been twenty-four hours since she had talked to him. She didn’t know where he was, what he was doing, or anything, but she was choosing him—choosing the life they said they wanted. She typed out a message, rereading it repeatedly before finally hitting send.

I choose you.

Always.

Chapter Forty

For two days, the message sat unanswered. Mia had been through this before; she had gone days without contact, and he always came back to her. She cleaned the loft, did her laundry, and went grocery shopping. Her diploma sat on the clean counter, the bright blue tiles finally shining from the island, no longer covered in books and papers. Her computer sat unopened, her life seemingly on pause. She felt stuck in between. These years of her life were ending, and she couldn’t help but wonder what was next. All she could hope was that Aurelio would be part of it.

She met with Matty and Tony every morning for coffee, the two hopelessly in love. The for-sale sign on the café had gone up on Tuesday right at opening. Tony said he was ready to move anywhere with Matty. Mia tried not to feel jealous, but she couldn’t help it.

By Wednesday, her nerves shot, she climbed into the tub. She had bought a six-pack of expensive German beer and was sipping her fourth as she soaked. Her eyelids felt heavy, her mind relaxing with every sip. Mia thought she should close her eyes for a moment. As she did, his voice came through.

“Hey, beautiful.” She could see him standing there, shirt off, waiting for her to invite him into the tub. She waved him over, her hand finding his buckle, pulling his pants off.

“God, I’ve missed you,” he whispered, kissing her deeply. She felt his cock in her hand, gently stroking it. He moaned in her ear, sending goosebumps down her arms. She watched him enter the tub, her hands resting on the sides. He sat across from her, motioning her closer. Mia floated over to Aurelio, her body coming to rest against his chest. His fingers found her pussy, sliding inside her. She moaned as his thumb rubbed her clit, his face buried in her neck, kissing and biting gently. She moaned again as Aurelio slid another finger into her.

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