Page 16 of Sparks Will Fly

I sucked in a sharp breath when he cupped my chin, forcing me to look at him.

“If He took away something as beautiful as this, I believe it would be to replace it with something even better. Trust Him. It’ll all work out, Trouble.”

His encouragement warmed me deep in my icy core to the point I ignored him calling me that stupid nickname.

“Who would’ve guessed you go to church and have a relationship with God?” I teased him instead.

“Why would you assume I don’t?”

“Oh, please. You act like the spawn of Satan.”

He released a hearty chuckle. “Well, if I came from his right nut sack, then you came from his left one, twin, because you’re way worse than me.”

I waved him off. “I am not that bad.”

“Only when you’re sleeping or not talking. You look like an angel both times.”

I flipped him off and attempted to walk away when he snatched me back into his chest.

“You got one more of those before I give you what you’re asking for.”

The low octave of his voice sent chills down my spine. I loved the way I felt pressed against him.

“Now, go handle your business. I’m going to place an order for some pizzas for lunch.”

I placed a hand over my racing heart after he let me go. When I stole a glance over my shoulder, I confirmed my suspicions that he was watching me walk away. The way he outlined my silhouette told the story of what he’d do to my body, but I wanted to experience it for myself. I just knew he’d leave me trembling and moaning.

* * *

“I am exhausted,” I admitted after plopping down in a seat and kicking my feet up.

They were throbbing something serious after all the work I’d put in. I had six girls’ hair to do and just as many manicures if not double. My eyes floated to Romani as he came to sit beside me.

“Thank you for helping out where you could.”

He nodded. “You always do this by yourself?”

“Yeah. It’s my way of giving back. It can get overwhelming, but it’s always so worth it when I see the smiles on their faces after I’m finished.” An uncontainable smile spread across my face. “I mean, did you hear the conversations about Wanderlust?”

He ran a hand down his face showing fatigue for the first time.

“I’ve been meaning to ask what is that exactly? I saw some fliers and heard y’all talking about it too.”

I sat up feeling a burst of energy. “It’s a winter formal where they get to dress up and dance all night.” I tucked some of my hair behind my ear with a sigh. “That’s why this sale cannot happen. Wanderlust is the only time some kids get to experience something so elegant.”

“I understand.”

Somehow, we ended up engaged in a staring contest, and the longer he looked at me the harder it was to look away. He made me nervous. It was always like he was trying his best to peer inside of my soul. I was afraid of being rejected once he found the real me buried in the murky depths of my existence.

“So, what’s next?” he finally broke the silence to ask.

I pulled out my phone, remembering a text message I’d gotten from my grandmother earlier.

“Well, my granny fried some catfish. I definitely need a plate, so I was going to head over there next.”

“Is the tour over?”

“Do you want it to be?”

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