Page 66 of Sparks
“Oh, my gosh, stop yelling.” I flushed, righted my skirt, noticing it hung loose, and left the stall to wash my hands. He looked perfectly put together when I walked out. Full uniform, hair in place, face chiseled, freshly shaven, and stoic.
“You’re being weird today,” he said.
“I am not. Come on.” I totally was.
We’d just left the crew room when he asked, “Are you on a diet or something? You’re losing weight.”
How the hell had he noticed? It was only five or six pounds. “No, I just haven’t been as hungry lately.”
“You’re not trying to change for the jarhead, are you?”
I looked over at him, but he kept his gaze straight ahead. “It’s not like that. No.”
“Good.” Silas held open the security door at the end of the crew hall and I exited into the terminal.
Sheesh, I thought. I had some extra pounds to spare, so it wasn’t really an issue. What was up with him?
It was five o’clock in the morning now and the gates were sliding open in front of the café. Sleepy passengers were making their ways down the halls to their gates. We were the first in line at the café.
“I’ll have a grande dark roast, black,” said Silas. He motioned to me. “Vanilla latte?”
I shook my head. “I’ll get my own.”
His lips pursed. “I’m ordering for you.”
“No, you’re not. And that’s not what I want.”
“What do you want then?”
“I’m not telling,” I said.
The woman at the register cleared her throat.
“Fine.” Silas swiped his card, the muscle in his jaw ticking.
“What can I get you?” the barista asked me.
“I’ll take a vanilla latte—”
“Not cool,” Silas muttered.
“And a warm almond croissant, please.” I smiled at Silas and he shook his head, taking his coffee and heading to a two-seater.
I brought my yummies over and sat with him, unfazed by his glare. “I can’t let you keep treating me.”
“Fine.” He sipped his coffee.
“How are you, Silas?” I broke off the crunchy tip of the croissant and ate it.
“If you’re referring to the conversation that should have never happened, I’ve been better. Just going through a rough patch. I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
We both sipped our coffee. “I’m sorry. That has to be hard.”
“I have no idea why I entertained that discussion. It’s not like me.”
I shrugged. “Maybe because you need to talk to friends and get stuff off your chest. And for the record, there’s nothing wrong with you.”
He huffed a dark laugh and took another drink. I broke off a piece of my croissant and handed it over. He looked like he was about to deny the offering but took it and shoved the whole piece in his mouth, brushing off his hands. After only a few bites I wasn’t hungry anymore. A month ago, I would have destroyed this croissant. I think with all the emotions and things going on with me, my appetite was lowered. “Want the rest?” I asked.
