Page 97 of The First Spark

“You two had a thing for each other. You wanted to hate each other and rip each other’s clothes off in equal measure. That kind of passion is hot, and it's why I wantallthe details.”

“Your crazy idea that us glaring daggers at each other equates to love might just be the silliest thing I’ve ever heard.”

Mina shrugs, but I see the smirk playing on her mouth as she averts her gaze. “Of course, there’s also the hickey you were sporting after your night together.”

Damn, I forgot she saw that.

I groan and bite back a laugh. “That wasn’t a hickey. It was …”

“An unprovoked vacuum attack?” Mina offers with a wide grin.

“Exactly,” I reply, giving her a supportive wave. “Asher Hammond wasn’t even in the room.”

“Woman, you are full of shit.”

“Think what you like. I know the truth.”

“Exactly. A truth you won’t share.” Mina uncrosses her legs and folds over them in a stretch. “Not to mention how many times the man drops in for coffee every day. No one consumes that much caffeine.”

Pushing my glasses up the bridge of my nose, I scan a few more titles, determined to appear unfazed by Mina’s statement. “He’s a busy guy. Takes a lot of energy to keep that train rolling.”

“You would know.”

“Honestly, he’s only over here because we brew good coffee. Just ask him. He’ll tell you the same thing.”

“You two are brewing something else.”

That’s where Mina is wrong. There’s nothing happening between Ash and me—especially after the other night, when I informed him we didn’t need to pretend to be friends. Since then, he hasn’t stepped foot into One More Page, or he’s gotten great at avoiding me.

It’s for the best. At least, that’s what I keep telling myself. One day, my heart and head will agree and I’ll be over my Asher Hammond crush for good.

Hopefully one day soon.

Mina smooths her pants, but the smug smile remains on her lips. “That, and Braden may have intimated something.”

“Good old Braden,” I mutter, realizing I’ve pulled the same book from the shelf three times.

“Plus, I was there when he pulled you into the supply closet, remember?”

We need a change of conversationimmediately, or we’ll never finish inventory and at this rate, my need for a drink increases exponentially with her every question. “Fine. You win. What do you want to know?”

“Was he magical?” She resumes her cross-legged stance, resting her chin on her hand as she gazes expectantly at me.

She hasgotto be kidding me.

“I’m not discussing details with you.”

“So, hewasmagical. Knew it.”

Pulling off my glasses, I pinch the bridge of my nose and count slowly to ten. “Mina, all the women in Sparkwood know this about Asher Hammond. It’s the worst-kept secret in town.”

“But it’s different with you.”

See, that’s the trouble. It’s no different with me. Not in the slightest. If anything, I drew the short straw. Some women in Sparkwood pique Ash’s interest and earn themselves a regular spot in his rotation.

I was just a box to check off on his to-do list.

“Look, it was a one-night thing, okay? Was it fun? Absolutely. And yes, the man is ridiculously talented in bed. But the only difference between me and his harem of women is that what happened between us will never happen again.”

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