Page 46 of The First Spark

“It’s perfect. Damn, you’re good.”

“Wasn’t me. Ori found it.”

So, sheishere, which means she’s definitely avoiding me.

Mina, oblivious to my inner monologue, prattles onabout the topics covered in the book. All I can manage is a forced smile, my gaze drifting repeatedly to the back of the store.

After last night, she’s going to pretend she doesn’t know me? What nonsense is that?

Then it hits me.

It’s the exact same nonsense I’ve been telling myself all morning. Only difference? I’m not used to being on this side of the situation and I can say without a doubt, I don’t like it here.

“Ori is a regular guru with research,” Mina explains, chuckling as she types into the laptop. “Give that woman any topic and she’ll return with piles of information. Anyway, she told me to order it for the store. You can browse through it whenever you like.”

I tear my gaze from the rear of the store and send Mina a wink. “Knew I’d come to the right place.”

Mina nods, her gaze on the screen. “We’re pretty accommodating here.”

“So Braden tells me.”

Now it’smyturn to bite back a laugh at the pink flush spreading across Mina’s cheeks.

Damn, she’s got it bad.

And for her, that ain’t good.

“I’m glad he approves. He’s generally so quiet in here,” Mina stammers.

Probably because you make him nervous, too.

I shake my head and take another swig of coffee. “Braden is shy. Shyer than me, anyway. But he’s a damn good man.”

Bragging on my brother isn’t a rarity, although I hope Mina doesn’t catch on to the fact that I’m prolonging thisconversation, and it hasnothingto do with her crush on Braden.

She fixes me with her light blue gaze. “He always said the same thing about you, but until recently, Ori held a far different opinion.”

I snort, running a hand over my jaw. “Glad I could convince her otherwise.”

Mina crosses her arms tightly over her chest, her eyes narrowing as she holds my gaze. “I bet you did.”

Shit. Time to backtrack.

“That is not how I meant it. I’m glad Ori is on my side now, or I’m on hers. We’re on the same side.”

Now I’m babbling like a moron.

Judging by Mina’s stilted expression, she isn’t buying what I’m selling.

I take pride in being one of the good guys in Sparkwood, but recent events make me wonder about the truth in that claim.

Seems the first thing people assume when they see me is how I’m a good-looking good time. One who has been sampled by countless women, with countless more in the wings.

A shallow facade covering a broken and dark pool where no one dares to tread. Mainly because I deny everyone entrance.

I damn near let Ori in last night. There was a moment after our third round, where she drifted off against my chest. She lay there, so warm against my skin, her breathing soft and even.

I stroked her hair, dropping kisses to the sweet-scented strands, and imagined a moment, decades from now, where we lay together just like this. After years of love, arguments,the highs and lows of life, we still found peace in each other’s arms.

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