Page 21 of The First Spark

It seems that, despite trading taunts for the past fifteen minutes, my one-word retort is the final straw for Asher’s temper. He throws his hands up, frustration twisting his mouth. “What is your fucking problem? Do you need to get laid or something?”

Bristling at his comment, I take another sip, letting a slow, satisfied hiss escape. “Now,that’ssome damn fine whiskey.” I let the words hang, then shift my gaze to Asher, who appears practically apoplectic at my nonchalance. “And to answer your rude inquiry—one, it’s none of your damn business. Two, even if I did, you’d be thelastperson I’d call. And three, you know what my fucking problem is.”

“Yeah, some imaginary noise complaint on a night when the parlor was closed, along with accusing me of being a horrible person. Not sure how that happened when I hadn’t even said hello to you. Guess you’re the type to judge a book by its cover, huh?”

Jumping to my feet, I march over to him, jabbing my finger into his chest. “How dare you pretend nothing happened that night. I’m not imagining the things that man said to me—or the fact he claimed you told him what type of woman I was. Pretty surprising, considering I’d never even said hello to you.”

Once again, I turn his words against him, but this time, he’s not amused.

“Who are you talking about? Black Lotus was closed. I spoke with Braden and Zane about that night and neitherof them was anywhere near here.” Anger creases his face as his voice increases several decibels.

“It wasn’t either of them.”

Asher tugs a hand through his hair, yanking at the dark strands. “Then who? That’s the extent of my staff.”

I glide my hand along the back of my neck, allowing the memory of the man’s ugly sneer to once again flood my brain. “I don’t know his name. He was too busy insulting and threatening me to allow for a proper introduction. He wore some stupid band shirt and had a huge evil clown tattoo on his neck. It extended partway up his face. Totally grotesque.”

In the next instant, the strangest thing happens. The anger in Asher’s face slides away, replaced by a look of realization. “Micah.” He glances away, releasing a frustrated breath through his nose. “I should have known.”

“Should have known what?”

“Micahwasn’tone of my employees, because I fired him earlier that same week. He claimed he lost the key to the shop, and I hadn’t had a chance to change the locks.”

I shrug, trying to deduce Asher’s point. “He broke in?”

“Technically, yes. That’s why he was such a dick to you. He figured you’d tell me, and I’d ream his ass out.”

“Instead, you reamed my ass out.”

He runs a hand over his jaw, a resigned grunt escaping his mouth. “To be fair, you gave as good as you got. What did the man say to you?”

“Nowyou want to know?”

He raises his hands in mock surrender. “I do, actually.”

Although I doubt Asher will give two craps what nasty comments his former employee hurled my way, there’s noharm in giving him the rundown—even if it is six months later.

I return to the couch and take a sip of whiskey, allowing the burn to cool my emotions. “It was late, so I went over to ask him to turn down the music, and he told me where I could shove my request. Then, he told me you had warned him how I was a prissy bitch and if I didn’t march right back to my little store, you would both make me sorry.”

Asher’s eyes widen, a muscle jumping in his jaw. “What the fuck? Why didn’t you tell me?”

I scoff, tempted to throw the bottle of whiskey at him. “I tried, remember? At which point,youcalled me several terms of endearment right in front of my patrons.”

“You went off on me in front of my clients, too.”

No way will I last the night without killing this man. “I had a reason.”

“Well, I thought I did, too.”

“You thought wrong.” Then, much to my horror, a tear slides down my cheek. I swipe it away, hoping Asher didn’t see it. That’s all I need—the man thinking I’m a typical weak woman.

But Asher doesn’t laugh or smirk. In a wholly unexpected move, he sits on the couch, pivoting to face me. “I didn’t know he threatened you. Hell, I had no idea he was here that night.”

There’s something so soothing about Asher’s voice now. Only moments earlier, it growled with authority and anger. Now, it’s soft and reassuring, a tone one would use to address a scared animal.

Guess I’m the scared animal in this scenario.

“Now you know.” I take another swallow of whiskey, widening my eyes when he raises a brow. “What?”

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