Page 104 of Sparked

I sighed. “I don’t know, Mom. I guess I like him.”

“And?”

“And what?”

“And what are you going to do about it?”

“Nothing.” I reached for a box of baby rice crackers, dropping them in the cart.

“Ellie.” Her voice sounded almost…heartbroken.

I bristled. Then I wheeled us into the meat section, where the far corner had no one in hearing distance. “Mom. I told you a long time ago that I’m not getting involved with anyone as long as the boys are at home.”

“And I told you that was ridiculous.”

I flashed her a look. “No you didn’t. You supported me.”

“Well that was then. You’d just broken up with that absolute doorknob Ron, thank God. I supported your decision then.”

“But not now?”

“You’re making better choices now.”

Irritation prickled my skin. “Mom, I already made a choice.”

“But there’s something going on between you two. I’m not an idiot, Elizabeth. Don’t lie to me.”

I gripped the cart’s handle, my eyes on Henry, who was busy with his rice cracker.

He looked up at me with his father’s eyes and gave me a slobbery smile.

My heart hurt. “Okay, yes, Mom. I like Sam, but I didn’t know that was going to happen. Things are different because he’s Henry’s dad and he wants to be in Henry’s life. I just didn’t expect…”

Mom’s expression was soft, her eyebrows slanted.

My throat thickened. “I didn’t expect to feel this way about anyone, let alone Henry’s dad. And I don’t know what to do.”

“Did you sleep with him?”

“Mom!”

“What? Did you?”

I picked up a package of hamburger meat, guessing mycheeks looked about the same color as the beef in my hand. “Yes,” I said quietly.

“And did he run away?”

“No! Of course not. Why would you ask that?”

“Because I can’t think of any other reason why you wouldn’t give things a chance with Sam. Youknowthat man is nothing like the ones who came before.”

I pouted, throwing the meat in the cart.

Mom put a hand on my arm. “I see how he is with HenryandTommy.”

I thought of Kit, saying he was parenting both boys.

“And,” she said, “I’ve seen how he is with you. He looks at you like you hung the moon, Ellie.”