Page 176 of Prickly Romance

My lips part, but it’s not to speak. It’s to release a frustrated breath.

How am I supposed to say no to her now? If I do, I’m going to look petty.

“Ashanti,” Sazuki starts to intervene.

I hold up a hand. “It’s fine. You can take the front seat. Niko and I were talking anyway.” I loop my arm around hers. “Us shorties should stick together.”

She laughs and signs, “Definitely.”

I buckle Niko in, making sure her seatbelt is secure before I do the same. Sazuki’s eyes find mine in the rear-view mirror.

“Stop looking. I’m fine,” I sign for only his eyes.

He focuses on the road again.

I try hard to concentrate on Niko and her recount of her day at the farmhouse with Beth, Belle, Micheal and Bailey, but Ashanti’s laughter from the front seat keeps messing with me.

“I re-printed some of Niko’s old photos so you could have your own album at the house. It was so sweet going through those old memories…”

Old memories?

Irritation blooms in my heart.

Do not get upset, Dejonae.

“Oh, Ryo.” Ashanti darts a hand out and places it on Sazuki’s arm.

My vision turns red.

Ryo? He’s ‘Ryo’?

Sazuki shakes her off, but it’s too late. I can’t un-hear the way she called to him in a sweet voice.

“I just remembered. Your mom said you needed more soy sauce. Let me run to the store real quick.”

He takes her to a store, but that isn’t enough to satisfy Ashanti.

“Ryo, can you come in with me? I don’t remember the soy sauce your mother liked.”

“Just get any one.”

“I’ll come with you,” I say, starting to undo my seatbelt. “Since I’m meeting your mom for the first time, I should probably bring something nice.”

“No need.” Ashanti holds out a hand, stopping me from moving.

I glare at her.

She smiles glibly and aims damsel-in-distress eyes at Sazuki. “Can you come with me? Please?”

Sazuki frowns.

“Come on.” Ashanti checks her watch. “There’s not enough time.”

Expression firm, he opens the car door. To my surprise, he doesn’t follow Ashanti around the car. He opens my door for me. Swooping in, he leans over me to undo my seatbelt.

His head is right against my chest.

His hair falls into his eyes, making his sharp cheekbones look softer than usual.

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