Page 47 of Sparks Fly

“How was your night?” Hollis asked with a smirk. “Your bike wasn’t here when I came in this morning.”

“I stayed at Addison’s.”

They both gave me that look.

“It wasn’t like that,” I said. “We fell asleep watching Buffy. It was soft and slow, and honestly, it was a really good night.”

Soren pressed a hand to their chest. “I love that.”

“She’s different, then?” Hollis asked.

“Yeah.” I smiled. “I really like her. She’s never been with a woman before, though. She thinks she might be bad at it and that things could get complicated.”

I told them about her family, her brother, and why she had spent so long hiding that part of herself.

“She sounds worth taking things slowly for,” Soren said.

“Oh, absolutely,” Hollis agreed. “Bring her by sometime?”

“I will. Eventually.”

“That’s all we ask,” Soren said.

“She really liked your pie,” I told Hollis.

Hollis grinned. “See? She’s a good one.”

When I got upstairs I changed and plopped on the couch, I pulled my phone out and texted Addison.

Me: You home from bridesmaid duties?

Her reply came almost immediately.

Addison: Just walked in from part one. Getting changed before we head back out. Dinner and the bar tonight.

Addison: You okay?

That little check-in, landed deeper than it probably should have.

Me: Yeah, just got back from a ride with my friend Lola. Was just thinking about you.

There was a pause long enough that I pictured her in front of the mirror somewhere with her hair half up, smiling down at her phone while she tried to decide what to say.

Addison: That sounds dangerous… In the best way.

I smiled before typing again.

Me: I’ll behave. I just wanted to say hi. And I really liked last night. And this morning.

Three dots started then stopped before her rely finally came through.

Addison: Me too. I keep replaying it. Which is not ideal when I’m supposed to be getting ready with drunk bridesmaids.

I could practically hear her laughing when I read it.

Me: Sorry in advance.

Addison: Don’t be. I like being distracted by you.