Page 148 of Chasing Sparks

My heart sinks at his words, especially since I know that I’m a central perpetrator in her angst. “You got work on the books right now? I’d like to hire you.”

Eddie glances around the speakeasy. “To help out here?”

“No. I want you to get the carriage house at the Dean Estate and the adjoining courtyard pristine and move-in ready. How long would that take?”

Eddie considers my request, working figures in his head. “About a week, ten days, if I worked two crews around the clock.”

“Can you do that?”

“I have the guys, but that’s going to cost a shit ton of money.”

“Let me worry about that.”

“But Ori wants to sell.”

“And I want a life with Ori. She loves that house and deep down, she still loves me. I want to do this for her—for us—to show her I’m serious. But I know she’ll say no, so can you just do it for me? Stall her for two weeks. Make up whatever bullshitexcuse about getting the house or investors ready. We got a deal?”

Eddie hesitates, the conflict clear on his face. His jaw tightens as he glances toward the mirror, then back at me. “You’re really all in on this, huh?”

“All in.” I’ve been dancing around the idea of forever for years, but it’s different with Ori. She’s different. That house might be where I finally put a ring on her finger. Tonight, I’ll start looking. It’s time she knows I’m done running.

Eddie exhales, finally shaking his head with a small grin. “You know this is going to blow up in your face if she finds out, right?”

“That’s my risk to take. Can you do it?”

He lets out a low whistle, then extends his hand. “Fine. But if this backfires, you’re on your own.”

I grip his hand firmly, relief flooding my chest. “We got a deal?”

“One condition,” he says, his grin widening. “Free drinks on opening night.”

I chuckle and smack him lightly on the shoulder. “You got it. Hey, are you living with her now?”

Eddie nods. “Yeah. She invited me to crash on her couch after my short-term lease expired. I don’t think she wants to be alone. This whole situation—you, her, and Lucille—bothers her way more than she’ll admit.”

It bothers me way more, too, but I keep that to myself.

“I’m glad you’re there with her,” I say. “Watching over her. My life’s been so intense lately I haven’t been around as much as I want, even before this misunderstanding. Thanks for taking care of her.”

“It’s what we do.” Eddie gives a mock salute before turning toward the stairs. Then he pauses, looking back at me. “She lovesyou, man, but I think that idea terrifies her. So, be careful with her, huh? She’s been through enough.”

That’s an understatement.

As soon as Eddie leaves, I walk over to the mirror, running a thumb along the etched edges. It’s worth a small fortune, but Ori gave it to me. Even after everything.

The truth is, she’s given everything of herself this whole time, while I’ve dodged and weaved around the idea of love like a professional boxer.

Now she’s more scared of love than I ever was—and with better reason.

But I’ll be damned if this is how our story ends.

I walk upstairs intoBlack Lotusand knock on the reception desk, the sound drawing everyone’s attention. “I want to apologize for being an asshole the last few days.”

Braden cocks a brow at me, crossing his arms. “You want to tell us why?”

“Misunderstanding,” I say, keeping it vague, though the heat rising up my neck betrays me.

Lucille and Braden exchange glances, matching smiles spreading across their faces.

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