SIX
Olivia
My mom drilled a rule into me before she passed.She told me not to mistake sparks for fire.Sparks are quick, hot, and dangerous.Fire is steady and reliable, warming you when the nights are cold.
Last night with CJ?Sparks.Enough to light up the whole damn block.
Which is why I spent the rest of the night pacing my apartment and reminding myself of the second half of the rule.Sparks burn you if you get too close.
I shouldn’t want to get burned, but something about CJ has me convinced I might like it.Heck, it might be worth it.
It took me most of the morning to get that thought out of my head, and by the time I show up at the youth center this afternoon, I’ve convinced myself I’m fine.The gala is over, donations came in, and the crisis has been delayed.He did his job, I did mine.End of story.We don’t have to pretend to date or interact that much ever again.
Except the kids swarm him like he’s Santa Claus in a goalie mask the second he walks through the door, and I find myself wishing I could do the same.
“CJ, you were on TV!”Malik crows, holding up his phone like a victory flag.“You danced with Miss O!Everyone saw it.”
My face heats instantly.“Malik?—”
“Did you kiss?”Bea demands, wide-eyed.
CJ chokes on his laugh, hand pressed to his chest.“Wow.Straight for the jugular.”
“Answer the question!”she insists.
“No kissing,” I say firmly, shooting CJ a glare.“It was work.”
“Boring,” Bea mutters, then skips off toward the art table.
CJ leans against the wall near me, a grin tugging at his mouth.“Just work, huh?”
“Shut up,” I grumble.
He laughs, his eyes sparkling with amusement, but he doesn’t push.Which, somehow, is worse.
“Have you counted all the donations yet?”he asks.
I nod.“Yeah, we’ll have enough to cover utilities and rent for a while.Some breathing room.”
“Good.Now, what are we going to do for dinner tonight, babe?”
“Don’t call me babe,” I warn him.
“Baby.”
“No.”
“Pumpkin?”
“CJ!”
“That’s my name, Princess Angel Baby.I think calling you that will get too confusing.”
“Oh, my god.”
I stomp off, ignoring his laugh as I go.
We spend the first hour helping kids with homework, and despite my best efforts, I keep sneaking glances at him.
