Page 95 of The First Spark

I just wish saying the words out loud wasn’t such a painful undertaking. After all, once I speak them, there’s no more pretending.

I grip the steering wheel, calling upon every ounce of strength to get me through this without crying.

Universe, that’s all I ask. Don’t let me break down in front of him.

“I appreciate your help tonight, Ash, even if you don’t approve of my destination. But listen, can we stop all of this?” I wave my hands around, desperate to corral my nervous energy.

His brow furrows. “Stop what?”

I close my eyes, releasing a long sigh as my hands come together in front of my lips, almost like a prayer. “You, acting like you like me. I’ve signed the lease, and I’ll sign whatever additional paperwork you need, but please, stop insulting my intelligence with this charade. Okay?”

Anger flares in his face as he steps back from my vehicle. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

Here goes nothing.

“I overheard you and your friend talking the other day. Discussing how you were willing to do anything, and apparentlyanyone, to get your speakeasy opened. That’s why I left.”

Ash tugs a hand through his hair, a perplexed look crossing his chiseled features. “Whoare you talking about?”

Now he’s going to pretend he doesn’t remember? Cute.

“Raven, the Snow White-Jessica Rabbit mashup.”

A flash of realization crosses his face, and he groans, rubbing his hand along the back of his neck. “I didn’t think you heard that.”

Wrong response, Ash.

I swipe a hand over my brow. “Well, I did.”

“Raven is nosy as fuck, and I didn’t want to get into details with her. I prefer discretion, remember?”

No, you prefer to keep enough distance between your ladies so that this is never an issue.

“Under normal circumstances, I’d agree. But when it comes tothattopic, it would’ve been nice to know I wasn’t just a cog in your wheel or worse, some inside joke. The least you could’ve done was to have that conversation in private. Do you think I hadn’t already considered the possibility? I didn’t need to hear you say it out loud.”

“Ori, wait?—”

But I’m done waiting. I’ve said my piece and now, it’s time to return to life as it was before Asher Hammond.

I raise my hand to silence him as my phone pings with another text. “Don’t worry about it, Ash. Seriously, I’m a big girl. But you hurt my feelings, and I choose to avoid people and situations that make me feel less than—because I’m fucking fabulous. Even if you don’t agree. Now, I have to go.”

“On another date.” He spits out the words, the syllables hitting against the frost-ridden air.

Let him think what he wants. It doesn’t matter, anyway.

I glance toward the entrance of Black Lotus and spy a lithe blonde shivering on the sidewalk, staring in our direction. “You’d better go. Your scantily clad public is waiting.”

Ash tears his gaze from me, jerking his chin in greeting at the woman. “Fuck, I forgot she was coming tonight.”

I’ll bet you did.

That line seals the deal for me regarding Ash: game, set, match.

I laugh at the absurdity of the situation. “You know what? Instead of free coffee, I’ll buy you a date book, so you can keep everyone straight and avoid any future awkward situations.”

Ash throws up his hands. “Ori, it isn’t?—”

“Any of my business.” Once again, I cut him off. I’m done hearing his excuses. I knew he was like this, and I can’t act surprised now.

---