Page 61 of Spark

Mia didn't see Oliver very often her conversation with Detective Daniels. She wasn't seeking him out, her mind and body preoccupied with Aurelio. She realized during the second week that she wasn’t just not seeing him as frequent, but when their paths did cross he gave her a stern look and waved, turning quickly to his loft. Aurelio said it was for the better, but she had a feeling Oliver was not one to let go of things.[SS16]

Mac and Amy started dating, and Amy was asking to switch shifts with Mia more and more, which she would oblige when she could. They were very cute; Mac smiled all the time and gave her little gifts. He said he wanted to ask her to prom but was nervous, so Mia and Aurelio helped him set it up. They decorated the diner quickly one night after David left. Mac got all dressed up and surprised Amy. She said yes right away, and everyone had a celebratory milkshake.

Mia appreciated all the moments they shared, the way their lives were intertwining; each day was better than the last. Aurelio was always smiling, taking her for drives in every car he could, even letting her drive Baby a couple times. She thought his driving was sexy, but when she got behind the wheel and pushed the pedal down, she thought she was going to cum from the vibrations of the engine roaring under her. Aurelio must have found it equally as hot; he couldn't keep his hands off her when they pulled over. Laying together, they would talk all night, after making love and whispering many “I love yous.”

During it all, Mia was able to finish her dissertation, the process of submission being almost as big a pain as the writing. Her classes had mostly ended, the professors choosing studentsof her level to focus on submission and last-minute changes they needed to make. Professor Soara had been noticeably quiet, replying to every third email Mia sent her. The college said everything was fine, but Mia had a feeling the professor was sick. Unfortunately, there was nothing she could do, so she had to let it go.

Mia sat at a table in the café on the bottom floor of her building, sipping a latte and trying to focus on the submission forms on her screen. Her fingers tapped the keys lightly, her mind blanking out. She frowned, letting herself fall back into the seat. It was still early, just after ten. Amy had already called asking if she could have Mia's shift, which she was happy to give away. Money had been coming in from the family, including a total of fifteen hundred dollars from her brothers, congratulating her on graduating. She used to call her brothers once a week and fill each other in on their lives, but she had been avoiding calling since meeting Aurelio, knowing they would pressure her for details about him. She had called Matty, [SS17]the closest to her in age, hoping he would be able to talk her ear off like he usually did, but instead, he cut the call short, telling her he was busy and would call back in a few days. After refusing to take the large sum of money back, he confirmed that they would be attending her graduation. She asked if she needed to add any extra seats for special lady friends, but he laughed and said no.

Thinking of it brought a smile to Mia's face. She wasn't sure what was happening back home, but she was glad to hear they were really going to visit. Aurelio had requested to go to graduation as well, but when Mia said she had to put his name on a form that was tied to hers, he rescinded. He told her he would find a way to be there and to not stress. She was only given four seats anyway, so she gave the last invitation to Flory.The woman was honored, her eyes tearing up a little at the sentiment.

Mia grabbed her coffee, her eyes observing the street outside the window. She watched people walk idly up the street, cars drive slowly past, and the usual bustle of activity in her neighborhood. She grabbed her phone, thinking that a quick text to Aurelio would get her creative juices flowing. Or at least, it might get some kind of juices flowing. Opening her messages, she saw her last text still sitting there, letting him know she was going to be home all day. There was no reason to go into the school, and Amy was taking her shift. Aurelio hadn't responded, giving her pause to text him again, not wanting to seem needy.

“Mia!” Tony called, pulling her out of her own head. [SS18]

Her friend had been hounding her about details after catching them coming in one night, giggly and snuggled close, as he was closing up. Aurelio had held his end of the deal, leaving a bog box of chocolates for Tony early one morning. After Aurelio had seen the guy from his “job,” he tried to come in late and sneak out early. They had spent a couple days not leaving the loft at all, lazing around naked and laughing.

“Hey, girl!” Tony walked over with two cookies in hand and a coffee. “You got time, I got time….”

Mia rolled her eyes at him. Raising an eyebrow, she closed the computer and put a handout for the cookie.

“Giirrrl,” Tony drawled, sitting across from her. “Spill it!” Mia laughed as he eagerly huddled over his cup.

Mia took a bite of the cookie, the chocolate chips still melty from the oven, and chewed slowly.

“So…how’s what’s his name?”

She glanced around the place, but only two other people were in the café now. One was an old man reading a newspaper, and the other was dressed in a suit, computer open, and typing away with earbuds in.

“Aurelio.”

“Ooohh, Aurelio!” Tony said louder than Mia would have liked.

“Tony, come on!” Neither of the other patrons seemed to have heard him or cared.

“Sorry! Details girl!”

“Well, you saw him,” she hedged, eyebrows up. “Right?”

“Girl, I did not see enough!” Tony waggled his eyebrows. “But, beyond looks, is he good to you?”

“Yeah,” she chuckled. “Really good.”

“Ahh, stop!” Her friend set his cup down and placed a hand on his mouth. “You cannot do that to me! I'm single as a Pringle, you know.” Tony had been married when he opened the bakery four years prior, but his husband flaked. Tony had done the best he could to run the shop, always being the first in and last to leave.

“Well… I love him. I really, really love him.” Mia smiled wide, and Tony gawked at her.

“I know you do. You have been looking like a little love-sick puppy for weeks.”

“Thanks,” Mia said sarcastically, sipping her coffee. “He is great though. He's tough for sure, but there is a whole other side that I feel like only I get to really see.” She looked away, her eyes unfocused. “He doesn't judge me or try to tell me I can't do something. He is overprotective at times but loves that I stand up for myself. He has never shied away from just listening to metalk about, well, anything.” She was overwhelmed. Aurelio was everything she never thought she would find.

“Well, sign me up!” Tony announced, pulling her focus back to him. “I will take two, please.”

Mia grinned; it was nice to talk about Aurelio openly with someone.

“Well, I have to get back behind the counter; there’s more baking to be done. But thanks for sharing your yummy beau!”

“Tony!” Mia chided as he ran off giggling.

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