Page 96 of The First Spark

He’s simply living up to his reputation, and what a reputation it is.

“Ash, are you coming inside soon?” the blonde woman calls from across the lot, running her hands along her arms. “It’s freezing out here.”

Ash rolls his shoulders, and I see him biting back his temper. “Which is why you should wait inside. I’ll be right there.”

“Go,” I demand, shaking my head and shoving my phone into the safety of my purse.

But Ash moves closer to my truck, his fingers gripping my windowsill in a vise. “She’s a client who’s a nervous wreck about her first ink. She needs a lot of handholding.”

“Look at how she’s dressed, Ash. She’s looking for a whole lot more than that.”

“Why do you assume that?” he snaps.

I’m so over this game.

“Name one woman in this town who isn’t after you.”

Ash straightens and shoves his keys in his pocket, his face stormy. “That’s easy.You.”

Chapter 19

All’s Fair in Love and Coffee

Ori

“A

s a boss, you’re amazing, but as a friend, you suck.” Mina shoots me a mock glare from her seat on the bookstore floor.

My response? A casual shrug, since no amount of whining will get this task finished any faster. “Inventory is a necessary evil, Mina. Sorry it cut into our movie night. The sooner we get it done, the sooner we get to our beer and popcorn.”

“That’s not what I mean. Spill it, Ori. I’ve waited long enough.”

“I hope you’re going to clarify that statement.”

“What happened between you and Ash?”

Christ. Not this topic again.

I groan and roll my eyes, determined to stay on course. “Nothing to tell. We got locked in the basement together and survived. Now, we’re friends or … something. Next question.”

Mina cocks a sculpted brow in my direction and I realize she will not let this matter drop. Not this time.

“Why do you think anything happened?” I ask, hoping my expression comes across as one of idle curiosity.

Mina holds up her hands, counting on her fingers. “Let me state the reasons. First, it’s the way the man looks at you—though, to be fair, he’s always done that.”

I pause in pulling a book off the shelf. “Done what?”

“Stared at you. Like he couldn’t quite figure you out, but you intrigued him.”

“You mean glaring,” I reply with a chuckle. “More than likely, he was plotting ways to kill me while I slept. Trust me, I shot him my fair share of glares, too.”

“That’s not it. It was so over the top, your contempt for one another, that everyone saw it for what it was.”

I hate this game.

Releasing a heated sigh, I lean against the bookshelf and shoot her a withering look. “Which was what, exactly?”

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