Page 111 of Sparking Sara

I feel myself blush.

His eyebrows shoot up. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

I nod.

“Dear Lord.” He looks around and then grabs my hand. “I think we’d better get out of here before lightning strikes us dead talking about such things on the altar of a church before we’re properly hitched.”

I laugh as I let him lead me back up the aisle. And I wonder if one day, we’ll make this same walk as man and wife.

Then I feel a twinge of guilt in my chest. I try to ignore it—after all, I’m doing what everyone said I should do.Aren’t I?

~ ~ ~

Dinner with Ollie’s family tonight was filled with stolen glances between the two of us. We both know what’s going to happen when we retire to his old bedroom. I’m nervous. He’s excited. His family is oblivious.

He makes up an excuse as to why we can’t watch old home movies after cleaning up.

“We’re still a bit laggy,” he says to them. “Give us another day to get used to the time change, will you?”

“Of course,” Enid says. “Take all the time you need.” She pulls me in for a hug. “I had a time of it today, luv. You’re perfect for my Ollie. I hope you know that.”

“Thank you, Enid.”

Oliver winks at me as I hug his mom. I can tell he’s impatient. He’s waited a long time for this.

“Goodnight, then,” she says as we walk up the stairs.

They all watch us walk away, and I feel more than a little self-conscious knowing I’m about to have sex with Oliver in his parents’ house. I wave awkwardly at the three of them before we round the corner on the landing.

Behind closed doors, Ollie pulls me in for a kiss. Then he looks at my clothes and cocks his head. “I don’t suppose you brought one of those little numbers I gave you as a welcome home gift.”

I shake my head. “No. I didn’t anticipate this.”

“It’s okay,” he says. “Truth be told, I’d rather fancy seeing you without anything on at all.”

I look nervously at the bed.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be gentle. I’m just going to pop in the washroom for a quick shower. You make yourself comfortable.”

I sit down on the edge of the bed, hearing him brush his teeth before the shower turns on. I have nothing to wear for such an occasion, so I decide a t-shirt will have to do. I search my things for one. I come across the FDNY t-shirt Denver gave me. I pick it up and run my hand across it, closing my eyes as my fingers peruse the soft cotton. Part of me wonders why I packed it when I was going on a trip with Ollie.

A wave of guilt washes over me. I put the shirt back in the drawer, tucking it under all the other shirts as if to put a barrier between it and myself.

I pick another one and put it on, figuring it’ll have to do. But suddenly, I’m not in the mood for anything but cuddling up to my cat and dreaming about eyes looking back at me in the mirror.

I sit back on the bed, trying to remember all the wonderful things Oliver did for me today. He deserves this. I hear a noise come from the bathroom and listen closely to hear him singing. He’s singing in the shower. I can’t help but giggle.

Then my phone rings, which surprises me. Few people ever call me, and those who do, know I’m in London. I look at the screen to see Denver’s face. I shake my head at the timing.

“Hi, Denver.”

“I didn’t wake you, did I?”

“No. It’s not even ten o’clock here.”

“Good. Is Oliver with you now?”

“Yes. Well, he’s in the bathroom, but he’s here. Why?”

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