Page 2 of The Spark Between Us

My heart stops then immediately starts hammering double-time.

"Ellie's coming back to Cedar Falls?" I keep my voice neutral, fighting to maintain eye contact like this isn't affecting me at all.

"Arrived yesterday while I was on shift. She's staying with me for a while." Pride gleams in his eyes. "My girl got her psychology degree. Top of her class."

"That's... great," I manage. "Congratulations to her."

"Figured I'd warn you since you still do that whole 'awkward silent thing' whenever she's around." Brock laughs, oblivious to the grenade he's just lobbed into my ordered life.

I force a smile. "Just never sure what to talk about with someone her age, that's all."

The lie tastes bitter. The truth—that I can barely form coherent sentences around Ellie because I've been fighting inappropriate feelings for her for two years—would destroy the most important friendship in my life. Would likely cost me my job. Would definitely cost me Brock's respect and trust.

"Well, you better figure it out. She's talking about sticking around for a while, maybe looking at the counseling center for a position." He shuffles his papers, dismissing me without realizing he's just upended my entire world.

"Sunday at three, then?" I confirm, already knowing I should find an excuse to back out.

"Bring that microbrew I liked last time," he calls as I leave his office.

I walk back to the locker room in a daze. Ellie's back. The distance I've maintained is gone. The safety buffer of her being hours away at school has evaporated.

By 7:00 AM, the rest of the crew starts filtering in. Max arrives looking tired but happy, showing more pictures of the birthday party to anyone who'll look. Lewis and Ollis debate something about last night's baseball game. Normal morning at the station, except nothing feels normal to me now.

The first call comes in at 7:32—a kitchen fire at an apartment complex on the north side. The routine kicks in, and for a blessed hour, I don't think about Ellie. I don't think about her dark hair, her laugh, or the way she always smells like vanilla and something citrusy. I don't think about how when she's in a room, it's physically painful not to look at her.

We return to the station by mid-morning. No injuries, minimal damage contained to one unit. As I'm restocking equipment, my phone vibrates in my pocket. Probably the group chat again.

But when I check, my heart skips a beat. It's her.

*Hi Grant! Dad says you're coming over for the game Sunday. Looking forward to catching up! Been too long. -Ellie*

Five seconds pass. Ten. Twenty. I stare at the screen, thumbs hovering, mind completely blank. What do I say? How do I respond? How do I keep it friendly but not too friendly? Respectful but not cold?

*Congratulations on graduating. Your dad's really proud.* I type, delete, retype.

Finally: *Congrats on graduating! See you Sunday.*

There. Short. Friendly. Appropriate. Nothing that could be misinterpreted.

Three dots appear immediately. She's typing back. My palms sweat.

*Thanks! I hear you're in charge of the summer safety demos now. Maybe I could help? I've got plenty of free time these days.*

And just like that, the towering walls I've built start crumbling. Because the only thing worse than seeing Ellie occasionally at her dad's house would be working directly with her, spending hours planning and coordinating, probably alone.

I'm still staring at my phone, no response typed, when Lewis walks by.

"Earth to Grant," he says, waving a hand in front of my face. "You good?"

I lock my screen quickly. "Fine. Just checking something."

Lewis gives me a strange look but continues on his way. I pocket my phone without responding to Ellie. I'll figure out what to say later, when I can think straight.

The afternoon brings two more calls—a minor car accident and a false alarm at the elementary school. By end of shift at 7 PM, I'm exhausted but grateful for the busy day. Less time to think.

I change quickly, slinging my gym bag over my shoulder as I head for the exit. Freedom is just steps away when I hear his voice.

"Grant! Hold up a minute."

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