Page 21 of More Than a Little Spark

“That’s very sweet of you to say, but please don’t drive any farther down this road.”

He lays his hand on mine.“I was trying to avoid what I could, but I’ll turn us around.Stargazer Springs didn’t get as much rain, and the road to my house is paved.What if I drive you there for now?We can figure out a new plan after that.”

I nod.“Thank you.”

“Please don’t cry.”

I flash him a smile.“It just slipped out.But I’m okay.My pain meds are wearing off.I’m sure that is a big part of it.You don’t have to take me to your house.I can probably get up the stairs to my apartment on my butt.Backward.”

“That’s not gonna happen.”He eases the truck into motion, turning it around.Then he grips my hand.“Squeeze it as hard as you need to.I can take it.”

So I do.As he drives us back to the gate, I grasp his very strong hand.

When we get to the paved road, I don’t let go.“I appreciate everything you’re doing to help me, Carson.Truly.”

“It’s been my pleasure.Not to see you get hurt or to see your car get wrecked, but spending time with you has been great.”His gorgeous blue-brown eyes twinkle when he smiles.

“I’ve enjoyed it.A lot.And I hope you know that I’d like to get to know you better and be your friend.”

His smile droops but doesn’t disappear completely.“Yeah.That’d be great.”

The secondgreatlacked the enthusiasm of the first one, and I can tell that something shifted.Something I said doused the spark, and I don’t know how to turn back time.

An awkward quiet settles in the cab, and I shatter it by calling Rose.“Hey, friend.I’m changing the plan.My ribs hate the washed-out road, so Carson is taking me to his place.”

“Oh no.Let me call around and see what I can figure out.”

“You don’t have to do that.It’s not your fault.I can just get a hotel or something until I can go back up the stairs.”

“You are not staying in a hotel, Daphne.Give me a few minutes to think.I’ll text you in a bit.”

“I hate being a burden.”I avoid looking at Carson.

Rose gives a soft laugh.“I knew that you were thinking that, but you aren’t.You’re my best friend.Let me help you.I’m just sorry the roads got messed up.At least you’re getting to spend more time with Carson.”

“I think I messed that up.”I probably shouldn’t have said that because it’s not like I can explain to her how I messed up without Carson hearing me, and I don’t even know why he reacted the way he did.

“But you can’t talk because he’s next to you.”

“That’s why I like having you as a friend.You can read my mind.”

“Call me later.”

“I will.Bye.”I end the call and set the phone down, knowing I’ve made this drive even more awkward with what I just said.

Then I spend the next ten minutes picking apart every word I uttered.Finally, as he parks in front of his house, I realize my mistake.

I grab his bicep again.“Hey.”

“Yeah?”He lifts his eyebrows but doesn’t meet my gaze.

I wait until he looks at me.“Carson, I think maybe I chose my words poorly.”

“It’s fine.Like I said, I don’t mind helping, and I think being your friend would be great.”

The time for hints is over.“I want you to ask me out.”

His lips part, but no words come out.

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