Page 15 of The First Spark

Mina’s mouth drops open, her eyes as wide as the coffee mugs. “Holy shit. What an asshole. But wait a minute. You said it wasn’t Asher spouting this crap, so why do you hate him?”

“Give me a minute. I’m getting to Asher’s shining moment.”

“Can’t wait to hear it. Am I going to want to pour coffee over his head after this?”

“I know I do,” I volley back. “After that night, I had two options: let it lie or have a chat with Asher. You know I don’t back down, so I confronted Asher about it, and he acted like I was insane. Claimed the noisecouldn’thave come from Black Lotus because they were closed. He just stood there, his arms crossed over his chest, this smirk on his mouth, like he was enjoying every second of watching me squirm. That pissed me off worse than his buddy the night before. After realizing nothing would be rectified, Ileft and threatened to call the cops the next time they made that kind of racket.”

“Seems fair,” Mina states, sipping her coffee. “You were nicer than I would have been.”

I hold up my hand, stopping her conversation midstream. “I haven’t gotten to the best part yet. Asher Hammond followed me over here and bawled me out, right in front of my customers. Then he called me a prissy bitch, the same terminology used by his hooligan friend the night before. Seems everyone at Black Lotus felt the same way about me, and since I was the newbie, I was shit out of luck. Asher reminded me of that fact when he told me to call the police chief, who was one ofhisbest friends. I know how small towns work, Mina, and my issues were falling on deaf ears.” I click my tongue against my teeth, the distaste from my initial meeting with Asher still bitter in my mouth. “That was that.”

“Well, I see why he isn’t getting a Christmas card.”

I lob my napkin at Mina’s head, releasing a chuckle. “Don’t you have some work to do? What am I paying you for?”

“Counseling, apparently. Letting you release all your anger about the big, mean tattoo artist residing next door.”

“Trust me, I’ve got plenty more where that came from.”

Chapter 4

One More Page, One Last Nerve

Ori

Mina pokes her head into my office an hour later, jerking her thumb toward the door. “The shop is closed up, and I’m heading out.”

I nod in her general direction, but I’m more focused on our accounting figures for the last quarter. One More Page is doing better than original estimates, and the numbers keep growing.

See? Sometimes busting your ass pays off.

“Ori, are you listening?”

“Yes, but I’m sticking around for a while. I want to get a jump on decorating the window for the Christmas season.”

“Do you need me to stay?”

Darling Mina. She’s dogged in her determination to help others, although most people only focus on her outward beauty. Trust me, she’s stunning, but that’s the least wonderful aspect of the woman.

No doubt that's part of why she's so giving and helpful. I've overheard a few women in town gossiping about her behind her back—nasty, catty bitches who can't imaginethat a woman who looks like a living Barbie could have a good heart.

Likely explains why she spends most evenings alone. A real shame, and one day, a real man will realize what a prize she is, whisk in, and scoop her up.

“Get out of here, Mina. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Stay off the damn ladder. Promise me.”

“No problem. The easiest deal in history. Now go.”

With a mock salute, she closes my office door, leaving me to my own devices.

I love the solitude. There’s something so peaceful about walking around the store and realizing that every book, mug, bag, and muffin—are mine.

I never imagined I’d wind up living in a tiny town in upstate New York. Then again, I never figured I’d be single at thirty-nine, either.

In every group of friends, there is one diehard romantic. In my group, that was me. I love the idea of love—the bigger, the better. My ideals make me the perfect bridesmaid, and trust me, I’ve stood up next to more than a dozen friends as they exchanged vows.

I’ve also sat on the couch holding tissues and chocolate, consoling half those women when their marriages went south.

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