Page 49 of Suits and Spark Plugs

“It’s Saturday.”

“I don’t need the extra work.” He waved his hand behind his head.

I laughed as he disappeared through the door. I was laughing a little less when I had to tell poor Sunshine that Connor had left and I had no idea where he’d gone. Yet another broken heart left in his wake.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Afew days later I was driving down the canyon pass to Springfield for Blaine’s attempts to make up with me. He’d called, apologized, and begged for me to come meet him in the city. I’d dressed carefully, unsure of what he had in mind and knowing that he held pretty tight standards himself.

The drive to Springfield normally took about thirty minutes, but it had decided to snow again. My little car wasn’t the best in bad weather, so I took it slow and ended up arriving at Blaine’s apartment ten minutes late. I knew he wouldn’t like it. He probably had reservations somewhere that I’d just blown. Still, I pasted on a smile and entered the building.

Blaine said I kept up walls, but the truth was that I wasn’t the only one. I’d never seen the inside of his apartment or met anyone from his life. In fairness, most of the time we were in Oak Hills. Tonight, however, I’d been invited to ride the elevator up. I hoped it meant good things because my heart was still a bit bruised after our last conversation.

He greeted me at the door in a T-shirt and jeans, and my mouth just about hit the floor. I’d expected to be going out, probably somewhere meant to impress, but we’d obviously be staying in. He looked good in the relaxed clothing, more approachable.

“Hi, you,” he said as he opened the door wider.

I crossed the threshold and he closed the door before spinning me quickly up against it and kissing me. His arms snaked around my lower back, pressing me up against him. His mouth was warm and urgent, pressing kisses faster than I could return them. I put my own arms around his shoulders and leaned in, hoping to feel some of the same heat he seemed to be feeling. Instead I felt confused. How could he kiss me this way while hating so much about my life? Was that how love worked? You just blocked out the issues and kissed? Was this nothing more than simple biology, the desire to feel desire?

After a few moments he pulled away. “I’ve missed you so much and felt so bad about how things were left between us. I ordered in and thought we could have a nice relaxed evening.”

“Sounds perfect.” I smiled.

I wished he’d mentioned that casual thing to me, because I’d have loved to be wearing jeans myself rather than the same skirt and button down shirt I’d worn on Valentine’s Day. It was much too dressy for takeout at home.

“I’m so sorry I’m late,” I said as I shrugged my coat off and hung it over a chair. “The snow was starting back up and traffic was slow going.”

“Not a problem at all. I hope you don’t get snowed in at my place tonight.” He wiggled his eyebrows playfully, letting me know he’d be totally fine with me being stuck here.

“Your apartment is gorgeous,” I said in response as he guided me from the entrance area into a large open space.

Dinner was set beautifully on an all glass dining table. Candles were lit, and I was in awe as I took a moment to really look around. White everything with silver and glass highlights spoke of cold decadence. There were no personal touches, only steely perfection. His view of the city and its blinking night lights would be hard to top, and the apartment seemed designed to keep your attention on the view. It was such a contradiction to my own home that I momentarily wondered what he must think when he was with me. Was he as uncomfortable in my worn down comfort as I would be in this see-through fortress?

Blaine kept the conversation light while we ate a delicious meal. It was nice to do a general catch up. When we were done eating, I helped him clean, finding enjoyment in working together at such a mundane task.

When we were done we settled in on the couch facing a large widow. It practically felt like we were outside on a mountaintop. He slid an arm around me, tucking me cozily against his side.

“I know we’ve avoided it so far, but I do think we should talk a little more about the other night.”

I swallowed and nodded. “Yeah, probably.”

“I’m afraid I came off more intensely than I meant to.”

“I didn’t know you weren’t happy with the way things were.”

“I was, for a while. Relationships are supposed to grow and evolve, but sometimes I feel like we’re in the same place we were when we met.”

“It’s my fault. It’s just...we’ve been dating such a short amount of time. We’re really still in a getting-to-know you phase and figuring out if we should keep seeing each other.”

“No wonder you were so upset the other night. We’re clearly on two separate planets. I’m telling you I love you and want you to consider moving closer to me, and you’re still debating over if I’m someone you want to date or not.” His voice was kind, but he sounded a little perplexed by the discovery that we were most definitely not on the same page.

I was equally baffled, but for totally different reasons. How on earth could he already know how he felt about me when there was still so much he didn’t know? We saw each other about twice a week if it was a good week. That was by no means regular enough to have formed the kind of bond he said he felt—was it?

“I have a lot going on in my life,” I said hesitantly. “I’m juggling a lot of things.”

“Maybe it’s too much,” he replied, fingers softly stroking my neck. “Maybe if you took a breather from it all, and really focused on us, you could see where I’m coming from.”

“You might be right, but I’ve thought about it many times, and there really isn’t anything I can drop right now. I have to work to pay for school. I have to go to school to have a career and independence. My family is important to me, and they need my help. I’m cleaning the mechanic shop to pay off the repairs. What do I give up?” As I’d spoken, my voice had developed a desperation that I was sure he could hear.

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