Page 101 of Sparks Fly

“You absolutely did.”

“He deserved it.”

Blake set a whiskey in front of me without asking. “So, how was your weekend away?”

Nina immediately leaned closer. “Yes. Tell us everything.”

“It was perfect,” I said, unable to hide my smile. “We stayed in this little house near the water, walked around town, ate too much, and barely left each other’s side.”

Blake narrowed their eyes. “That smile says there’s more.”

“There is.” I picked up my whiskey. “Addison asked me to be her girlfriend.”

Nina’s mouth fell open. “Shut up.”

“You have a girlfriend?” Blake asked, grinning.

“I have a girlfriend.”

Nina reached across the table and squeezed my arm. “Sawyer, that’s huge.”

“Yeah.” I looked down at my drink, still smiling. “It is.”

“Now I really need details,” Nina said.

“I’ll give you one.” I leaned closer. “The sex was incredible.”

“How incredible?” Blake asked.

“Forget-your-own-name incredible.”

Nina burst out laughing.

“And that’s all you’re getting,” I added.

Nina blinked. “Excuse me?”

“I’m not doing the usual recap. She matters to me, and she isn’t out to everyone yet. What happens between us stays between us.”

Blake leaned back. “Wow. A girlfriend and emotional growth.”

“Don’t get used to it.”

Nina studied me for a moment, her expression softening. “You’re in deep.”

“Yeah,” I admitted. “I really am.”

They told me about Friday night plans. Birthday drinks, followed by Topgolf if the weather held. Normally, I wouldn’t have thought twice about it, but this time I paused.

“Would it be okay if I brought Addison?”

Nina’s face lit up. “Absolutely.”

“As my girlfriend,” I added, mostly because I liked saying it.

Blake laughed. “Yes, Sawyer. You may bring your girlfriend.”

When I finally got home, the apartment felt strangely quiet. I sat on the edge of my bed with my boots still on and pulled out my phone.