Page 17 of Sparks Will Fly

He shook his head with a smirk.

“Then it doesn’t have to be, but my feet are still stinging. I cannot clean up right now.”

All the breath fled my lungs when he said, “I got you. Relax a little bit.”

The music was still flowing through the speakers, so I relaxed deeper into my seat, watching him maneuver around the room like an expert. I was in trouble. Today was supposed to be about saving the community center, but somehow, I was catching feelings for the man who would be responsible for taking away everything I love.

When he was finished, we headed out to where his driver was still waiting after I locked up. He remained in the driver’s seat as Romani took the lead and opened my door for me. I slid on the buttery seat, trying not to let his cologne cloud my judgment. The longer I was around him the harder it became to not snatch him by the front of his collared shirt and yank him to me until his soft looking full lips landed on mine.

The ride to my granny’s was quick because she lived around the corner from the community center. When we pulled up outside, I had to wait for Romani to open my door again. It was an adjustment because I was used to just doing whatever I needed and whenever I needed it, but I respected he operated a certain type of way. I used my key to let us inside the house. Per usual, it smelled of fresh flowers.

“Granny, I’m here!” I yelled out from the living room.

I didn’t waste any time taking another seat. I was still very much depleted of energy, even though the thought of her food made my mouth water.

“Coming,” she called out from the back of the house.

Romani stood by the door awkwardly.

“Don’t get scared now. You wanted to come over here. Sit down. You’re making me nervous.”

He released a sultry, low chuckle but listened to my suggestion. My eyes began to drift close as I stared at the soap opera currently playing on my granny’s television. It reminded me of my childhood. I couldn’t count how many times I was forced to watch that overdramatic nonsense growing up. To this day, it still didn’t interest me.

“Oh, hello.” My granny’s sweet voice interrupted the darkness I was falling into. I tried to tune her out and fall deeper into my sleep when I felt a pop on my arm.

“Ow.” I hissed, rubbing at my throbbing skin. “What was that for?”

“You didn’t say you had a guest.” My granny was a tiny powerhouse like me.

Today, she was dressed in a white sweater dress with black stockings and her house shoes. Her silver hair was slicked back into a bun at the back of her head, making her look as regal as ever. I halfheartedly tossed an arm toward where Romani sat on her couch.

“I’m sleepy, Granny. He can tell you who he is.” The look she gave me had me huffing before I made the introduction. “This is Romani. He’s trying to close the community center. Romani, this is my Granny Constance.”

I flopped back ready to return to my nap, but of course, she wouldn’t allow it.

“Lovie?”

“Huh?” I cracked one eye open.

“Get that man something to drink!”

I rolled my eyes, getting aggravated by the entire ordeal. I just wanted to take a quick nap then stuff my face like I’d never eaten a day in my life.

“Granny, I don’t even like him,” I whined.

“I don’t like you either, especially when your lips are moving,” he replied with ease.

I got ready to give him the finger, but my granny’s voice saved me from doing so.

“So? You brought him here. Now, act the way I raised you.”

“See, and she had me thinking she was raised by a pack of wolves. You’re nice. I like you, Granny.”

Unable to fight it, I flipped him off proudly. I hissed as my granny popped my hand this time.

“I know not, Lovie. You know better than that. Treat our guests with respect.”

“Mhm… just a bald head scaly wag in all her ways when I’ve been nothing but patient, kind, and understanding. You would think it’d earn a handsome and successful man like me a glass of sweet tea without the backtalk, right?”

---