Page 68 of Sparks
“I just have to tell you,” she said in a slight tremble. “That you two are the handsomest couple I’ve seen in a long while.”
“Oh!” My mouth froze on the word and I glanced to Silas, whose mouth was also rounded in surprise. “No,” I laughed. “We’re just friends.”
The woman stared me down and then smiled. “Could have fooled me, dear.” She turned back around, and I pressed my lips together, feeling the heat of embarrassment creep up my cheeks from my neck.
“Okay, then,” I muttered, gathering my trash so that I wouldn’t have to look up.
“You’re flying with me today,” Silas said, standing. “We should get going.”
I wondered if he’d requested me again and felt another flush of warmth. It wasn’t even six in the morning and this was already the weirdest day ever.
Iwas thankful to concentrate on work and feel some of the weirdness dissipate between Silas and me. Shawn sent lots of texts throughout the day, each one sending a flurry of wings flapping in my belly. I was careful to keep my napkin messages to Silas somewhat generic.
That night as I lay in my hotel bed in Rochester, Shawn quizzed me on French phrases. He was pretty good, having also taken it in high school and college. Right in the middle of it he paused and blurted, “What if I don’t go straight to North Carolina tomorrow?”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“I mean, what if I come to Newark for the night instead, and then to North Carolina the next day.”
I felt a swirl of emotions. Did he want to test the waters with me? To see how it felt with me physically before he and Natalie finalized their breakup in person?
As if reading my mind, he said, “Not to have sex. I just really want to see you.”
I chewed my lip. “Aren’t you supposed to see Natalie tomorrow night and talk to her?”
“It’s one extra night. She won’t care. Believe me. I don’t think either of us are looking forward to that conversation.”
I wanted to see him so badly, even though I knew it was wrong. “You should deal with things first,” I said with reluctance.
He groaned. “I know. But I’ll feel better, stronger, if I can see you in person again.”
My whole heart ached to see him too. Fuck, he made me weak. “Okay.”
“Yeah?” The joy in his voice was like a little kid and it made me smile.
“Yeah.”
“Sweeeet. All right, I’ll make the changes and text you my itinerary. We can do whatever you want, go wherever you want. You choose.”
“Sounds good. You should get some sleep.”
“I’ll try. I’m probably going to be too excited now. Might have to just pop a pill on the plane tomorrow.”
I couldn’t stop smiling. “I can’t wait to see you.”
“Me too, babe.”
“Good night,” I whispered.
“Sweet dreams.”
I squealed into my pillow and kicked my feet. I was going to see Shawn.
Every part of me was tied up in knots as I waited at baggage claim. I wore my cute suede flat boots that went over my knees with leggings and a long chunky sweater that gaped at my neck to show my collarbones. My hair was straightened. My lips were glossed. Eyelashes popping. I left behind an apartment full of squealing sky muffins, super excited for me.
I forced myself to stop wringing my hands and let them fall to my sides. I found Shawn’s big smile as soon as he stepped out. He wore jeans, boots, and a blue polo shirt with his rucksack on his back. I bounced on my heels, unable to control my excitement and smile. But he wasn’t trying to control his either. He dropped his rucksack on the ground and picked me up in a hug around my midsection. My arms were around his neck and we held each other tightly. He smelled masculine. My eyes burned with emotion when he began babbling, his voice muffled by my hair.
“Harlow Robinson. God, you feel good. And you smell amazing. Look at you, girl.”
