Page 209 of Chasing Sparks

“Things change,” he replies, a hint of resignation in his voice. His eyes dart back to mine, and for a fleeting second, I catch the longing in them.

“That’s why I need to say this.” My voice shakes, but I press on. “I wanted you to be the one who saved me from myself. To build me a home in your arms so I could finally stop running. But that’s not fair to you. It’s not your job to save me, Ash. It’s not your job to fit someone else’s dream.”

His brow furrows, and I force myself to keep going. “Promise me something. Live your life on your terms. Chase what makes you happy, and never let it go.”

He studies me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. “No matter who gets hurt in the process?”

“If you don’t follow your bliss,you’llend up hurting. And you deserve better than that.”

Ash clicks his tongue against his teeth as he processes what I said. “Let me get this straight. You want me to put aside everything everyone in my life wants in favor of whatIwant? Disregard Braden, my folks, the people at Black Lotus ... evenyou?”

I nod, despite the tightness in my throat. “Exactly. Do what makes you happy.”

“Do you really mean that?”

“I do.”

And at that moment, I realize it’s the truth. We can’t force anyone to stay anywhere. The best we can hope for is that certain people might want to journey by our side, but there’s no guarantee of how long they’ll stay.

There’s no guarantee, period.

I think I finally understand how my father felt, breaking free of a life that didn’t fit him in order to pursue the one that did. Maybe now I can finally work on forgiving him.

Ash reaches for my hand, lacing his fingers through mine and returning me to the moment. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For loving me that much. Enough to let me go.”

I smile as my vision blurs with unshed tears. “Anything less isn’t love. The best stories are the ones with endings you never see coming. Where the narrative shifts, and you see everything in a whole new light. You’re my favorite plot twist, no matter our ending.”

I smooth my dress and take a few slow, deep breaths, Ash’s gaze never wavering from me. “I’m going to head home. This place is magnificent.You’remagnificent. I’m so glad I know you. Really glad I’m allowed to love you.”

He bites his lip, and I know, without him saying a word, that he’s equally overwhelmed with emotion. “We close at two, so it’ll be a few more hours before I can leave.”

“Okay.” I lean down to place a lingering kiss on his cheek. “Casey is sticking around. She wants to talk to you.”

Ash nods, but before I can step away, he pulls me onto his lap and buries his head in the crook of my neck. “I do not deserve you.”

We need to lighten the mood. My disclosure, however necessary it may be, has hung a pall over the night, and that will never do.

So, as is my nature, I opt for levity—and a little sarcasm. “True. You got damn lucky with me.”

Ash laughs, delivering a soft nip to my skin. “Woman, what am I going to do with you?”

“So many things. And remember, I spent a pretty penny on this lingerie. You’d better make sure it’s put to good use.”

“I locked the damn door, little one. I’m ready now.”

But I giggle and squirm free from his grasp. “Too many interruptions tonight. And you know I like it when you take your time. See you later, handsome.”

As I exit the speakeasy, I realize something—I didn’t let go of Ash tonight. I gave him the freedom to choose. And maybe, just maybe, that’s the kind of love that lasts.

I awaken to the jingle of keys in the lock and jerk upright, glancing at the clock.

2:45.

Ash appears in the bedroom doorway, a rueful smile tugging at his mouth. “Damn, I didn’t mean to wake you.”

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