Page 92 of Suits and Spark Plugs

Kelly’s eyes bulged. “He cleaned your house?” Her voice rose on the wordhouse, which caused a few people to glance our way.

Flustered, I shook my head and looked back and forth between them. “No, I mean, he did, but, it’s not, well...”

Kelly beamed and held up a hand. “Allow me to translate, Sadie. Yes, he did clean your house. And no, she’s not going to admit anything to either of us. Even if we ask her how his big, strong, hunky arms feel when he...”

“Stop.” I put my face in my hands. “Oh my gosh, Kelly. One day you will be my cause of death.”

“Unless drowning in Connor’s eyes gets you first,” she retorted. Sadie chuckled and I rubbed my face back and forth in my hands. “We’re dying for details here.”

I sat up and took a deep breath. “Okay, I’ve gone out with Connor. We’ve been on like one and a half dates, so I wouldn’t really say we’re official yet.”

Kelly playfully leaned forward and whispered, “Does Connor know that you aren’t officially dating? Because he’s been telling everyone that you’re his GF.” On the “GF” part she really lowered her voice and mouthed the letters.

“What?”

“Yep. It’s the truth. If you don’t believe me, ask around.” She opened her mouth like she was going to pose the question to the entire diner, which forced me to launch forward on my stool and cover her mouth with my hand.

“Don’t you dare.”

“Fine.” She shook my hand off. “Tell me about him cleaning your house.”

“Sadie can tell you. I wasn’t there.”

“Wait, it really happened?” Kelly’s eyes grew larger with delight, if that was actually possible at this point.

Sadie jumped in. “Remember a little while ago when Mom and I were so sick? One day he just showed up at our house all bossy and gruff, and he cleaned the whole first floor. Then he brought some soup for us to eat.”

Kelly kept her gaze locked on Sadie. “And Liv had no idea?”

Sadie shook her head. “None. He swore us to secrecy. But he must not understand girl code, because we told her the second she asked who’d done it.”

Kelly laughed and clapped her hands together in front of her chest. “This is probably—no, yes, definitely—the best thing I’ve heard all week.”

“He was being friendly,” I defended.

“Yeah, because Connor is known as the cleaning fairy around town. Liv, he’s obviously been falling for you for a long time,” Kelly chirped. A bell dinged behind us, which brought her back to quick attention. “Oh, yeah, work. I’ve got to run. But, man, you’ve really made my morning.” She skirted off with a little cheer.

“So, you’re dating Connor now?” Sadie’s eyes, amused and interested, swerved to me.

“Kind of, yes.”

“Nice. What is that, two guys in the last few months? Things are heating up for you,” she teased. I tossed her a look and dug into my omelet.

* * * * *

For three days straight I kept catching my mom in clandestine phone conversations with Dad. Things seemed to be going okay with their discussions, because Mom wasn’t quite as mopey afterwards, but she still told us very little. Sadie was quiet about it, so I didn’t know how she felt, but she continued to be more pleasant to be around, which I figured was a good sign.

For those same three days, even though I spoke to Connor on the phone or saw him when he came into the diner to eat, I avoided asking him if he was telling people we were a couple. Enough had shifted for me lately, and I didn’t necessarily want to have a DTR (define the relationship talk) at this point. It was too soon for that. I was content knowing he liked me and wanted to spend time with me. Other things could wait.

I was excited when he arranged to pick me up on Saturday evening, after his shop closed and I was done working. When I answered the door, however, I was caught off guard by seeing an unfamiliar silver four-door truck parked in the driveway. Before I could ask about it, he leaned down and gave me a peck on the cheek.

“You’re a sight for sore eyes,” he whispered against my ear, and distracting chills raced up my spine. “You ready? Did you grab a jacket?” I nodded and held up the jacket in my clenched hand.

He took my free hand and walked me to the waiting vehicle. As we neared I could see Kelly cheerily waving at me from the passenger seat and Scott smiling behind the steering wheel.

I turned to Connor. “Kelly and Scott?”

“Yeah, I mentioned an idea for a date to Kelly. She helped me work it out and then begged to come along. I thought a double date sounded good, especially considering they helped with everything.” He opened the rear passenger door for me and I climbed in.

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