Page 56 of The Spark

His late nights got later. Calls turned into short texts. Even when we were in the same space, it felt like we were miles apart.

Amir: Studio late again. Don’t wait up.

I stared at my phone, thumb hovering.

Amir: You good?

Me: Yeah. I’m good.

But I wasn’t.

I reached for my tablet, hoping art would quiet the ache. The album cover was nearly done—a man in pieces, fractured but still whole. Part Taraj, yes. But more and more, it looked like Amir.

Strong hands, but hesitant. A spine built from burden. A heart glowing and massive—but tucked behind shadows.

I added a thin crack down the center of the chest. Barely visible, but I knew it was there. I needed it to be.

Before I could put the tablet down, a new notification slid across my screen.

A DM from Tasha.

Of course it was her.

Tasha: Heard from Amir lately?

I didn’t answer.

Tasha: I mean, I’m sure he’s been busy… but I just wonder if you really know what he’s been up to.

My jaw clenched. I closed my eyes and exhaled slow, willing the rise in my chest to fall.

Me: Stay out of my inbox.

Blocked. Done.

Still, the damage was done. Not because I believed her. But because I already felt the space opening between us. Her message was salt on a wound that hadn’t even finished forming.

I tried to settle my nerves, took a quick shower, threw on my favorite cropped tank and shorts. I curled up on the couch, tablet still in my lap, but my eyes kept drifting to the door.

Then—

The key turned in the lock.

I sat up. My heart jumped a little, even though I hated that it did.

Amir stepped in. Shoulders rolled forward, fatigue dripping off of him. His beard was thicker. His eyes looked distant.

“You’re home early,” I said, voice soft.

He dropped his keys on the counter and gave me a half-smile. “It’s after midnight, A.”

He was right. Still, it felt early. Earlier than it had been.

I waited for him to come to me. To close the distance. To reach for the warmth we used to pass back and forth like breath.

Instead, he sighed. “I need a shower.”

I nodded. “Okay.”

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