Sparks in the Dark

Rory POV

I pushed open the diner door, my stomach growling like a wild animal. My shirt was ripped at the sleeve, and my cheek stung from the bruise my dad left a couple days ago. I’d been wandering ever since he kicked me out, sleeping in alleys and eating scraps. Tonight, I was broke, hungry, and desperate. The diner was attached to a casino, all bright lights and buzzing sounds, but inside it was quiet. Just me and the guy behind the counter.

He looked up, and our eyes met. My heart stopped for a second. He had a sharp jaw, dark hair falling over his forehead, and a grin that made my knees weak. His name tag said Leo. I froze, suddenly feeling like a mess with my dirty clothes and messy hair.

“Rough night, huh?” he said, his voice smooth and low.

I nodded and slid onto a stool. “Yeah. Pretty rough.”

He grabbed a pot and poured me a coffee. When he slid the cup over, his fingers brushed mine. It felt like a spark jumped between us, zapping me right up my arm. My breath caught in my throat. I stared at his hand—strong and tan—then my eyes moved to his lips. They were full and curved into a smirk, like he knew I was staring.

“You look like you need this,” he said, leaning on the counter. He was so close I could smell him—something spicy and warm. My pulse started racing.

“Thanks,” I mumbled, wrapping my hands around the cup. The heat felt good, but it didn’t stop the shaking in my fingers.

He tilted his head, watching me. “What’s your name, drifter?”

“Rory,” I said, my voice shaky. I took a sip of coffee to hide how nervous I was.

“Rory,” he repeated, like he was tasting the word. “I’m Leo. Floor manager at the casino next door.” He pointed his thumb toward the flashing lights outside.

I nodded, not sure what to say. He kept looking at me, his eyes dark and intense. It made my skin feel hot, like I was burning up under his stare.

“You hungry?” he asked.

“Yeah,” I admitted. My stomach growled again, loud enough for him to hear. I winced, embarrassed.

He laughed—a deep, rumbling sound that made my chest tight. “Hold on.” He turned and grabbed a plate, piling it with fries and a burger. When he set it in front of me, he said, “Eat. It’s on me.”

I blinked at him. “For real?”

“For real.” He winked, and my heart flipped over.

I dug in, shoving fries into my mouth. They were salty and warm, and I couldn’t stop. Leo watched me, resting his chin on his hand. His eyes never left my face, and it made me feel naked, like he could see everything—my bruises, my secrets, all of it.

“So, Rory,” he said after a minute. “What’s your story? How’d you end up looking like you just fought a bear?”

I swallowed hard, the burger sticking in my throat. “Got kicked out. My dad… he didn’t like that I’m gay.” I touched my bruised cheek, feeling the ache.

Leo’s grin faded a little, and his eyes got hard. “That’s rough. He’s an idiot.”

I shrugged, not used to anyone caring. “Yeah, well. It’s done.”

He leaned closer, his elbows on the counter. “You’re better off without him. Trust me.”

I looked up, and his face was so close I could see the flecks of gold in his eyes. My mouth went dry. Was he just being nice, or was there something else in the way he looked at me?

Before I could figure it out, he pulled a paper from under the counter and slid it over. His fingers brushed mine again, and that spark hit me harder this time. I swear my heart skipped a beat.

“Job application,” he said. “We need card dealers at the casino. You good with your hands?”

I almost choked on my fry. Was he flirting? My face got hot, and I stared at the paper to avoid his eyes. “I can be,” I said, trying to sound cool. It came out all wobbly instead.

He smirked again. “Good enough for me.”

He handed me a pen, and our fingers touched a third time. I felt it all the way down my spine, like a shock. My hands shook as I filled out the form—name, age, nothing else to write since I didn’t have an address or a phone. Leo watched me the whole time, his gaze heavy on my skin.

When I finished, I pushed the paper back. He took it, his fingers lingering on mine for a second too long. “You’re hired,” he said, his voice low and teasing.

“Just like that?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

“Just like that.” He grinned, all teeth and charm. “Start tomorrow. Noon. Don’t be late.”

I nodded, my head spinning. A job. Money. Maybe a way out of this mess. And this guy—Leo—looking at me like I was something worth seeing. It was too much.

I stood up, ready to leave, but my legs felt wobbly. “Thanks,” I said. “For the food. And the job.”

He straightened up, adjusting his tie. His eyes glinted, hungry and sharp. “Don’t thank me yet, Rory.”

I turned to go, feeling his stare on my back. My skin prickled, and my heart wouldn’t slow down. I was almost at the door when he called out, “Hey, wait.”

I stopped and looked back. He was walking toward me, slow and smooth, like a cat stalking something. He stopped close—too close—and my breath hitched again. His eyes locked on mine, and I couldn’t move. My lips parted, waiting, wanting.

“You got a place to crash tonight?” he asked, his voice soft but heavy.

I shook my head. “No. Been sleeping outside.”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a key. He pressed it into my hand, his fingers warm against mine. “My place is upstairs. 3B. Couch is yours if you want it.”

My eyes went wide. “You mean it?”

“Yeah.” He leaned in, so close his breath brushed my ear. “You look like trouble I’d like to handle.”

My pulse hammered, loud and fast. I stared at him, my mind racing with dirty thoughts I couldn’t stop. His lips were right there, smirking, tempting me. I wanted to grab him, kiss him, feel him—but I didn’t. I couldn’t. Not yet.

“See you tomorrow, Rory,” he said, stepping back. He adjusted his tie again, watching me with that hungry look.

I nodded, clutching the key so hard it dug into my palm. “Yeah. Tomorrow.”

I turned and bolted out the door, my heart pounding like a drum. Upstairs. His place. His couch. His words echoing in my head: trouble I’d like to handle. What did that mean? What was gonna happen tomorrow?

I didn’t know. But I wanted to find out.