Page 134 of Chasing Sparks

The worst part?

I can’t tell if I’m angry at Ash for breaking my heart—or at myself for giving it to him in the first place.

I glance at my phone when it rings. Speak of the devil.

Do I answer it or ignore it and let him stew? Trust me, my juvenile side begs for the second option. He’s been calling all week without leaving a single message—just letting my phone buzz as if I’ll chase after him like some lovesick puppy. Fat chance of that.

But maybe I need to remind him what the term cease and desist means. Otherwise, this game will never end.

“I told you to leave me alone,” I growl into the receiver.

Look at that, my voice sounds almost normal, as if the man on the other end of the line hasn't turned my entire life inside out.

“It’s about time you answered the damn phone.”

“I didn’t answer it because I didn’t want to talk to you.”

“How many times has Kevin Duncan been in your store?”

I pull the phone away from my ear, shooting it a curious look. Odd segue. “Who?”

“Kevin Duncan,” Ash snaps, his tone sharp enough to cut glass. “About our age, dark hair, spends more on his suits than most people make in a month, and always sniffing around first editions like he actually knows what the hell he’s looking at.Thatguy.”

I’m tempted to keep playing dumb, to frustrate Ash and make him sweat a little, but something in his tone warns me this isn’t the time for jokes. “A few times. Why?”

“I don’t want you helping him anymore. Read me?”

“He’s a customer, Ash. I can’t just ignore him.”

“Let Mina handle him. You see him walk in, and you go straight to your office. Promise me.”

“Why should I? He’s a nice guy?—”

“No, he isn’t,” Ash bellows, his voice reverberating through the phone like a thunderclap. “Just stay away from him.”

“I don’t need this shit. I’m hanging up.”

“Ori, wait. Please. I know he seems charming, and he’s got more money than God, and he’s interested in you. Plus, you’d love nothing more than to stick it to me by dating him, but I’mbeggingyou to stay away from him.”

So, it’s not about me. Once again, it’s about Ash and his feelings. Well, fuck that.

“You don’t get to dictate who I do and do not see. Besides, what makes you think you were even a thought in my head when he asked me to dinner?”

Am I being nasty? Absolutely.

Silence rings out on the other side of the line. Seems I’ve finally stunned Ash into speechlessness.

“You’re not going to dinner with him,” he finally growls, his voice low and threatening.

“You can’t stop me.” Do I want to go on a date with Kevin? Not at all, but Ash doesn’t need to know that.

“Ori, I’ll handcuff you to me if that’s what it takes.”

“What would Lucille say?” My voice turns icy. “If you’ve said your piece, I’ve got a busy day.”

“Ori, don’t?—”

But I’ve already ended the call, and somehow, I’m even angrier than when the day started.

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