Page 50 of The First Spark

I lean forward, resting my hands on the table. “Fine. It was intentional, but necessary. I needed ample time to chip away at Ori’s preconceived notions about me.”

“How long were you stuck down there?”

I drag my tongue against my lower lip as a vision of Ori spread out beneath me once again enters my brain. “All night long.”

“Did you two have fun?”

I dust my knuckles along my jacket and blow on them. “She signed the new lease, didn’t she?”

Kiki clicks her tongue against her teeth, her nails tapping the wood table in an aggravated rhythm. My old friend is about to serve me a stern lecture on the accouterments of love and romance. “You know I love you, right?”

God, this is about to get painful. “Yep.”

“But Ihatethe way you live your life. Are you honestly happy dating a different woman every damn day?”

“Are you seriously asking me that question? Don’t most men love that lifestyle?”

Kiki drops her head to her hand and huffs out a breath. “Not most men, no. Most men, like most women, like the idea of falling in love and settling down. You won’t even entertain the concept.”

“Different strokes, right? I’m not one of those guys.”

“Because you don’t give it a chance. Look, I accepted the idea of casual dating when you and I were together, but not because I didn’t want more. With you, there was no other option.”

What the hell? Please don’t tell me my former fuck buddy is rekindling feelings for me. Especially not when her husband is also my friend and the local chief of police.

That is a migraine I donotneed.

“Kiki—”

She waves her hands, silencing me. “Shelve your ego, Ash. I’ve been over you for years. After I met Drake, there was no going back. He offered me everything you wouldn’t give me. No questions asked.”

“If you recall, I introduced you to Drake, so I’m thrilled it worked out.”

And I am glad. Even though I’m a confirmed bachelor, I never begrudge my bedmates when they find their forever person. Do some hope I might be that guy? Sure, most do. But they quickly realize I mean what I say about love.

We don’t mix.

Period. End of story.

Besides, love isn’t meant for everyone.

Case in point, me.

“Is there a point to this lecture or are you just crappingall over my buzz?” I ask, quirking an eyebrow at my former fling as I lean back against the wooden booth.

“Mark my words: one day, you’ll meet a woman who will turn you on your head. You won’t be able to stop thinking about her and all those claims about hating love will up and vanish. Then you’ll join the rest of us lovesick fools in that magical fairytale place known as wedded bliss.”

I roll my eyes and bark out a laugh. “Not a chance in hell. Don’t you know me by now?”

Kiki throws up her hands. “Fine. Maybe I’m wrong and you’ll continue to bed the local female population of Sparkwood until your dying day.”

Now we’re talking. “There are worse ways to go.”

Do I sound like a heartless prick? Without a doubt, but I’ll do anything to change the path of this conversation.

Kiki glances over my shoulder, her lips curling into a smile. “Well, well. Speak of the devil. Look who’s here.”

When I turn, I half expect to see any number of my recent conquests huddled by the entrance, glowers on their faces as they demand to know why I despise the idea of love.

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