Page 65 of When Sparks Fly

“I don’t giggle,” Mike grumbled.

“Oh, brother of mine,” Mary piped up. “You were giggling. And cooing. And melting.”

Zoey and Mikehadbeen laughing and reminiscing at the grill, and if he’d touched her waist, there’s no doubt she could have leaned into it, forgetting where they were.

The seniors at the dining table had been listening with a great deal of amusement. Mike’s grandmother, Maura, nodded toward him.

“And let’s not forget the way you marched into the kitchen and announced youneeded to talk. What was that urgent conversation about, I wonder?” She turned to Mary. “You were guarding the door—what did you hear?”

MIKEFROZE.If Maryhadbeen listening, she knew he’d asked Zoey if she was pregnant. Her eyes met his, and this time he clearly read the twinspeak.Relax. I’ve got your back.She smiled at their grandmother.

“Just a lot of lovey-dovey stuff, Nana. New love is so adorable.”

His relief at her little fib evaporated with her last sentence. He and Zoey spoke in unison.

“We’re not in love!”

“Okay,” Finn said with a laugh, holding up his hands to quiet everyone. “Let’s not pick on them too much, friends. We all remember those early days of our relationships.” He pulled Bridget close and kissed her forehead. “They’re probably putting themselves through enough self-inflicted torture without us adding to it.”

“I’d say so, yes.” Mary gave Mike a pointed look. So shehadheard the conversation about babies.

“Honestly, everyone, this...” Zoey gestured between Mike and herself. “This truly is brand-new.”

“And burning hot, from the looks of it.” Owen raised his beer bottle in a toast, and Lucy jabbed him with her elbow. “What?” He put his arm around her. “It reminds me ofuswhen we met at Atlantic Beach way back when. We burned hot, too, remember?”

Mary walked over and gave Mike and Zoey quick hugs. “It’s hard to think of you two as new when you’ve known each other for decades.”

Zoey groaned. “Thanks for making me sound ancient.”

“Duh—I’m the same age as you.” Her voice dropped. “For the record, I approve of this. Very much.” She turned around to face her guests. “We’ve had our fun, but let’s remember that Zoey has a very good reason for wanting to keep this quiet, so mum’s the word.” She pointed at the book club group. “That includes you old troublemakers. Leave them alone andno gossip.”

“Watch who you’re calling old,” Rick Thomas answered, winking as he did. “I’m still a working member of society, young lady.”

Smaller conversations began to pop up, and people seemed to lose interest in pushing Mike and Zoey any further. Mike let out a long, slow breath and closed his eyes. They were still a secret—just a more fragile one now. Anyone could screw this up, not just him.

“I suppose that could have been worse.” Zoey’s voice was rich with humor. “Although I can’t imagine how.”

“Oh, I can think of a few ways, like if Mary had spilled the beans on what she heard us talking about.”

Zoey’s mouth dropped open. “You think sheheard?”

“I know she did. She’s probably saving it to hold over my head at some future date.”

“Ormyhead. She’s going to be pissed at both of us for not telling her.”

Mike thought about that for a moment. Mary would support them both, no matter what. After all, the three of them had been a team since third grade.

“She’ll be fine with it.” He watched Mary take a slice of Nana’s peach cobbler to her husband. “She’s probably planning our wedding as we speak.”

“God, I hope not,” Zoey muttered. Then she looked up, her face pale. “I mean... We’re nowhere near that point. Just because our friends and families know about us, we’re still not...public. Hazel...” She winced again. “I must sound like a broken record, like I’m using her as an excuse, but...”

“I understand.” He didn’t, completely. But he was trying. “At least we can relax aroundsomepeople.” He gave her a quick smile, because she looked like she needed one. “I promised Mary that I’d help with cleaning up and making sure Sam has everything he needs. Meet you at your place later?” He leaned over and kissed her softly—their first semipublic kiss—ignoring the catcalls they were getting from their friends.

She nodded, also ignoring the teasing. “Vickie has someone delivering a bed she’s donated for Hazel’s room around six.” She grinned. “Now that she knows about us, you don’t have to worry about playacting around her.”

He pulled her into an embrace, just because he could. Owen was right.

They were burning hot.

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