Page 49 of The First Spark

Much like the woman herself.

And there goes my brain again, traveling the same path it’s been on since yesterday.

“She already signed? That was quick.”

Kiki offers me a blasé shrug. “Goes to show the strength of your charm when you aim it properly.”

Somehow, I doubt that’s the reason, but I’m thrilled Ori didn’t renege on her agreement after our stilted goodbye yesterday morning. Or, should I say,mystilted goodbye.

She caught me off guard with the dinner offer andalthough I’d love to sample her wares daily, it’s not a good idea.

For either of us.

Will I continue feeding myself these mental lines of bullshit? Until they push me into the grave.

I fell prey to a woman once. There won’t be a sequel.

“Done and done,” I reply, setting the pen down with a satisfied flourish next to my newly revised lease agreement.

Kiki nods and smiles before slipping the paperwork into her briefcase. “Congratulations, Ash. I can’t wait to sample a cocktail in your new speakeasy.”

I lean against the pub booth with a relieved sigh and hold up my glass of whiskey for a toast. “That’s still a few months off, but at least I’ve cleared one obstacle.”

Kiki clinks my glass with her own before taking a sip. “So, is Oriana Thorne still a wretched bog witch?”

I stare at my drink but can’t hold back the smile splitting my face. “Not even close.”

“Told you.”

“You were right,” I concede, eager to steer the conversation away from the petite, elusive bookstore owner who has effectively avoided me the past two days.

No joke, she always seemed to bejustout of sight when I passed by or stopped in for my second, third, and fourth cup of coffee.

Hey, I didn’t get much sleep the other night—or last night, if we’re being honest. No, my brain kept me awake into the wee hours, ruminating on Oriana Thorne.

After two nights with barely any shuteye, I needed copious amounts of caffeine.

Nothing more to it than that.

But Kiki is not content to let the subject lie. Figures.

“I have to ask. How did you manage it?”

I shoot her a wink and take another swallow from my glass. “With that wicked charm you claim I have in spades.”

Kiki snorts out a laugh and buries her face in her hand. “Why am I not surprised?”

“A locked basement door didn’t hurt the cause, either.”

My friend quirks her brow at me, my words catching her unaware. “You and Ori got locked in the basement?”

“Yep.”

She runs her fingers along the edge of her glass, and I can’t tell if she approves or thinks I’m out of my damn mind. “Was that gravity’s fault or yours?”

I chuckle, taking another sip of my whiskey. “Gravity, obviously.”

“Bullshit.”

---