Page 37 of Sparks
His response was succinct.
Fuck.
I covered my mouth against a laugh. Who was I? Why had I just sent that? And why couldn’t I stop smiling?
Your hot.
Oh, come on! Your? I wanted to scream “It’s you’re! As inyou are!” But I let it go so my innate snobbery wouldn’t ruin my moment with a sexy fireman.
Thanks.I sent the blushing happy face.
We should hang out, he said.
My chest thumped.Yeah, for sure. When?
I’d invite you to my place but my roommates r annoying af. I’m off tonight. Working or on call every night this week. Me n my boys usually go to Amber’s Grill for drinks n food.
Tonight? Oy. My hangover wasn’t terrible, but it seemed so soon after last night’s horrors.
So, your friends will be there?I asked.Should I bring mine too?It shouldn’t be too hard to talk Willa, Syd-Lo, and Rhea into joining me.
Hell ya. Here’s my cell.
I programmed his number into my cell.Got it. I’ll text you on my way.
I squealed and kicked my feet.
“What?” Beth yelled.
I climbed down from the bunk bed and came out smiling. She grinned back.
“Uh-oh,” she said. “Are you talking to another dude?”
I sat down beside her and showed her Ren, hoping like hell she hadn’t been out with him before.
“Nuh-uh! Him? I’ve been trying to match with him since I moved here! He never swipes right on me!” She looked at me with shocked eyes. “He must like blondes.”
Or maybe it was because he’s an ass man. For once I wasn’t feeling envious of her willowy waist and thigh gap.
She sighed. “Damn, he is so sexy. He’s like three times my size. I just want a big strong man like that to overpower me, you know?”
I was feeling that sentiment enough to hold out a fist and let her bump it.
And though I’d probably regret it later, my guard was down enough at that moment to make me blurt, “We’re going out to a restaurant in Elizabeth. You’re welcome to come. His friends will be there too.” What could it hurt? The other girls would be there this time. I was safe.
For a split second something crossed her face. I couldn’t quite process it. Surprise? Guilt? I don’t know. But it turned to her normal pixie mischievousness very quickly. “Of course, I’m coming.”
“Cool. I’m going to shower.”
She smacked my butt when I stood and muttered, “Lucky bitch.”
I smiled all the way to the shower, glad my back was to her.
Willa, Rhea, and Syd-Lo came walking through the airport doors looking like three luscious divas, all curvy, tall, medium, and short. That is, until the cold air hit them and they all started scurrying, tripping on icy spots in their heels, running in baby steps, Willa holding the hood over her braids with those long nails. Sydney shaking her stubborn head at the wind like she could make it stop. And Rhea shuffling her short legs as she pulled her bag, the scarf wound so far up her face all I could see was her dark brown eyes and sculpted black brows.
They threw themselves into my car with awhooshof loud laughter and commotion. The sound of their combined voices and clattering luggage brought a smile to my heart.
“I have so freaking much to tell y’all!” I shouted.
