Page 102 of Sparking Sara

“But he’s not inOliver’slife. Based on what you’re telling me, he’s only inyours.”

“It’s just … easier that way,” I say.

“For whom? You or them?”

I think about her words. I knew it was happening—the three of us spending less time together. In the beginning, Denver, Oliver, and I would do things together. We went to the park. To my old favorite restaurants. To some museums. But there was always so much tension. It’s much easier now. When I’m with Denver, he rarely asks about Oliver. And when I’m with Oliver, he never brings up Denver.

“Sara, go to London.”

I run my hand across Kokomo’s soft fur. “I’ll think about it.”

~ ~ ~

I lift up the spoon for Oliver to take a taste of the bearnaise sauce. His eyes roll back in pleasure and he kisses the tips of his fingers before waving them in the air like the Italians do. “Perfecto!” he says in his best Italian accent.

I laugh. It really has been fun taking cooking lessons with Ollie. He’s always joking around. He’s a different man than he was two months ago. Back then, he was stuffy and reserved and even harsh at times. But now, he’s softer and caring. Maybe he was just worried about me. Whatever it was, he’s over it now and I’m beginning to realize what I must have seen in him when we first met.

Back at home, we sit at our table, enjoying the fruits of our labor, having easy conversation about Oliver’s latest trip to Europe.

“I’ve been thinking more and more about your invitation to go see your family,” I say.

His eyebrows shoot up. “That’s fantastic. I’m happy to work it into my schedule whenever you’re ready.”

“Thank you for not pushing me,” I say.

He takes my hand in his. “We’re going to do this at your pace.”

“Ollie, I’ve been wanting to ask you something,” I say, looking at my engagement ring. “How did you propose?”

“Uh, well …” He glances down at the table, looking guilty.

“What is it?” I ask, feeling uneasy.

“I’m a bit embarrassed to say it wasn’t very spectacular,” he says. “We were both very busy. Always on the go. I, um, just blurted it out in first class on a flight back from Chile. Everyone around us applauded. I’m sorry it wasn’t more romantic.”

“It sounds plenty romantic,” I say.

“I’d do it differently now.”

“You would? Why?”

“Because you’re not the person you once were. And neither am I. I’ve changed too, Sara. I wish you could see that. Seeing you go through what you did has changed me.” He lifts my hand up and kisses it. “We both made mistakes before.”

“Mistakes?”

He plays with the ring on my finger and then studies me like he wants to tell me something.

He shakes his head. “It’s not important now. What’s important is we’re together. You’re coming back to me. I can feel it more every day. And one of these days, you’ll accept me fully. I’m willing to wait for that day. Because you’re worth waiting for.”

I look over at the couch, thinking of him sleeping on it night after night without ever complaining.

I take a deep breath. “Ollie, you don’t have to sleep on the couch anymore.”

His eyebrows shoot up.

“I’m not ready forthat,” I say. “But if you want to sleep in our bed, it would be okay.”

He stands up, pulling me into his arms. “It will be more than okay.”

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