Page 35 of Spark

Mia:All good, in class.

She sent the short message, guilt gnawing her insides. Their relationship was now split in two, Mia felt. There was the time before he ghosted, when they texted and called all the time. And then there was now. She felt this shift, like they were starting over. Although she had told him she was busy, she had been kind of a jerk not sending a simple “heading to class, ttyl” text. She knew the guilt was not hers to really wear, she had been here waiting while he had been gone. But the only way to move forward with a relationship was to let that go. Her phone buzzed in her hand, pulling her focus back to now.

Aurelio:Oh, good. Sorry. In the world I live in, getting no answer triggers a panic. Especially when it’s someone I care about.

Mia read the line again, knowledge of his world flooding her as she realized how stressful his day-to-day must be. Choosing to let it go, give this relationship a chance without past mistakes hanging over it, she tapped a quick reply.

Mia:I get it. Text after this class, before the next. TTYL ??

The class passed slowly, more so than usual. But once it was over, she had thirty minutes before her next one. Sitting in the little cafe on campus, she pulled out her phone.

Mia:Free to chat?

Aurelio:For you, beautiful, always. Call me?

Mia:??

Mia clicked his number, swearing she would add it to her contacts as soon as the conversation was done. He picked up after the first ring.

“Hello, beautiful.”

“Hey.”

“What are you up to?”

“I’m on a break before my next class.”

“How much time do you have?” His voice was low, dangerous.

“Unfortunately, not enough,” she sighed.

“That's too bad; my mind was running with ideas.”

Mia laughed; her thoughts had been going in the same direction… to the gutter. “Mine, too.” The path she was on would lead to somewhere she couldn't go. She needed to shift gears.“Hey, I'm sorry about earlier. I got a phone call from Detective Daniels and had to talk to him.”

“What!? Who?”

“He is Oliver’s partner, the neighbor?” she paused, lip caught between her teeth as she formulated her next words. “He called because Oliver told him I was at the docks, with my boyfriend.” She heard aurelio let out a deep breath.

“Listen... I don't want to cause problems in your life.” Aurelio said after a moment. “You don’t need cops sniffing around you because of me.” [SS6]

Mia could understand that, but his tone mad her pause. She didn’t blame him for Olivers attention, he seemed to be someone who didn’t take no well.

“Its not because of you, Aurelio.” She said, finger tracing the pattern on the table she sat at. “Oliver seems to have some kinda obsession with me.” She heard a snort from Aurelio.

“I don’t blame him, you are an absolute angel.” He said. “But your mine.” A shiver went down Mia’s spine as the words thudded in her chest. Mine. She savored it, the way he had so casually thrown it out there.

“Aurelio.” She breathed and heard him give a soft chuckle.

“That is, if you will be mine, Beautiful.” The tone was inviting. She found herself nodded before words came.

“Im yours.” She closed her eyes as she spoke, wishing she could be with him now. “But only if I get to have you too.” A laugh came thru, making her smile.

“If you’ll have me.” Aurelio said. “Just don’t let what I am trying to leave cause you inconvenience.”

“Okay.” She said.

“We do need to sit and talk about things.” His voice had returned to its normal, easy, gruff nature.

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