Sarah and Kevin 19

They did not have a gig that night, so after they ate dinner, they went downstairs to practice. At 10:30, they decided to call it a night and went their separate ways.

Kevin went into the living room and turned on the fireplace. He sat on the floor and leaned against the couch, staring at the flames. I wonder when she'll be home. He thought about how she looked when she left. He felt heat in his veins that had nothing to do with the fire before him.

An hour later he heard the back door open. He was going to stand up, but he heard them talking and decided not to make himself known.

"Thanks for taking me. You know I love weddings."

"Thanks for coming with me. Hey, your fireplace is on."

"Oh, that's OK. I'll turn it off before I go to bed."

"Those assholes are going to be the death of you."

"Oh, they are not and I'm tired of hearing that shit from you."

A heavy sigh. "Sorry. Sorry." Extended silence. "Aren't you going to invite me in?"

"No. I told you that the day you invited me and I reminded you today on the way to the church. Did you think I would change my mind?"

The sound of a kiss. "Alright, that's far enough, Mark."

"Please. It's been so long."

"Damn it, Mark. Stop!"

That was all Kevin waited to hear. He stood up and walked into the kitchen, flicking on the light.

Mark had her arms in a death grip and his face buried in her neck. His head snapped up.

"Everything OK, Sarah?" Kevin asked, looking at Mark. He released her and she moved closer to Kevin.

"Everything's fine. Good night, Mark."

He shot them both a dirty look and turned and left, slamming the door behind him.

Sarah looked down, hand on her neck where Mark's mouth had been. She took a deep, shuddering breath.

"Are you really OK?"

"Yeah. Or I will be, anyway." She tried to smile up at him.

"Are you going upstairs?" he asked.

"No. I'm going to sit down here for a while."

"Do you want me to stay up with you?"

"Only if you want to listen to me complain." she laughed a little.