Page 38 of Sparks Fly

By the time my first showing ended Friday morning, I was already on my third cup of coffee and halfway through answering emails from the driver’s seat of my car.

I rested my forehead against the steering wheel for a second and let out a slow breath while another notification lit up my calendar. It was going to be one of those days where every appointment bled into the next without enough time to think between them.

Normally, I liked the pace. Moving fast kept everything simple. Today, though, it was like my brain literally wanted to be anywhere else.

Sawyer’s laugh slipped into my thoughts before I could stop it, followed by the quiet warmth of her apartment and the memory of how easy being around her had felt. I sat back up with a sigh and forced myself to focus long enough to close out the showing notes on my iPad before pulling away from the curb and back into traffic.

Around Mid morning, my phone buzzed on my desk while I was typing up a listing update. I glanced down and immediately smiled when I saw Sawyer’s name lighting up my screen.

Sawyer: Hope your morning isn’t chewing you up. Want me to drop off a blowtorch to wreck your schedule?

I snorted quietly into my coffee and typed back while leaning back in my chair.

Me: Tempting… Honestly, if I had a blowtorch I’d probably aim it at my calendar myself. But thank you for the offer.

A second later another message appeared.

Sawyer: Anytime, Sunshine. Destruction is kind of my love language.

I shook my head with a small smile before setting my phone down again and returning to work.

The rest of the morning filled quickly with emails, a listing call, and a showing that ran longer than expected. But Sawyer’s messages slipped naturally between those moments. Nothing heavy or urgent, just easy back-and-forth that didn’t ask anything of me.

Late in the afternoon, Jason’s name appeared on my screen while I finished the last of my paperwork between appointments.

Jason: Hey, are we still on for tonight?

I blinked at the message as the memory surfaced that I had loosely agreed to dinner earlier in the week. For a moment I considered telling him something had come up with work or asking to reschedule, but I knew I needed to end this and pushing it off again would only make it harder. I exhaled slowly before typing.

Me: Yes, still on.

Jason responded almost immediately.

Jason: Want me to pick you up?

No way.

Me: No, crazy busy. Coming straight from work. 7 still? La Petite Perle?

Jason: Yes. Reservation is made. See you there.

I felt like I needed to tell Sawyer what was happening. We weren’t together, or exclusively dating, but I wanted her to know why I was going tonight.

Me: Hey… Just wanted to let you know I’m going out with Jason tonight. To end things. Officially.

It didn’t take long for her to text back.

Sawyer: I want to say, I’m sorry… but I’m not? Hurry up and dump this D so we can go out again.

I laughed.

Me: Is it a pre-rec that I dump him to go out again?

Sawyer: Only because he doesn’t make you happy and I do… yes!

I set my phone down without replying again and returned to the rest of my workday. It unfolded in the way it usually did, with the last of my showings, a few inquiry calls for listings, and some contractor drama that somehow always became my problem.

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