Page 87 of The First Spark

“Okay.” This should be interesting. “Jade, give me a second? I’ll be right back.”

I follow Mina into One More Page, wondering if I’m about to receive a second earful on my life choices.

Let me tell you, I’m a patient man, but after tonight, it’s wearing damn thin. And being cajoled by a twenty-five-year-old might be the tipping point.

“What’s up?” I ask.

“Ori just called.”

Did she now?

I lock my arms across my chest and cock a brow at the tall blonde. It’s my standard, ‘this had better be good’ stance. “And?”

Mina grabs a book from the shelf and holds it out toward me. “She was researching books about speakeasiesand found one she thought was perfect. It was a special order, and it arrived yesterday. She wanted you to have it.”

I take the book from her outstretched hand, noting the colorful tabs littering random pages. “What’s all this?”

Mina shrugs. “Ori went through it and tabbed the areas she thought might interest you. Certain styles and interiors she liked, and thought would be a good fit for your bar.”

Talk about an unexpected—and contradictory—development. She wants to help me, but she doesn’t want to be around me.

It doesn’t make any damn sense.

“Did Ori read the book already?”

“Yeah. That’s how she spent last night—curled up in bed with your book. Then again, isn’t that typical of a librarian type?”

A whispered curse flies from my mouth. Now we’re getting somewhere. I surmised Ori was angry about Raven’s statement, but I didn’t think she took itthathard.

One thing Oriana seems to possess in spades is gumption and a healthy self-confidence, which flies in the face of Mina’s intimation.

I meet Mina’s sky-colored gaze, noting the anger bubbling in their depths. Have to love how much she defends and protects her friend.

Come to think of it, I’m damn protective of Ori, too. Even if that’s the last thing Mina believes.

Running a hand over my brow, I heave out a sigh. “Your boss is a gorgeous woman.”

“Absolutely.”

“Raven’s comment wasn’t meant to insult her. Hell, she thinks Ori is hot as hell. We both do.”

“Come on, don’t play dumb. You and I both know yourfriend meant it as an insult. More importantly, Ori knows that, too.”

I reach out and grasp Mina’s sleeve. “Hey, I’ll talk to Ori and get this all straightened out.”

“Does it matter?” Mina shoves her hat on her head before tugging her keys from her pocket. “You got what you wanted.”

And once again, my back is up. “What does that mean?”

Mina turns and releases a noisy breath. “The speakeasy, Ash. The reason behindall of this.”

All of what? And then it dawns on me.

“Hey, Ash, are you about done?” Jade breaks into my conversation, her head peeking through the bookstore door.

“You’d better go. Besides, I’m tired and want to go home,” Mina replies, walking toward the exit.

But I need Mina to understand that the speakeasy, although the catalyst in my situation with Ori, is not the reason I’m still hanging around.

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