Page 62 of Chasing Sparks

Not today.

Strike one.

“I’ve got some free time this weekend,” I murmur, stepping closer to her side, my voice easy, like I’m testing the waters.

Ori nods, her lips thinning into a hard line. “How odd for you.”

And there’s strike two.

Managing an uneasy chuckle, I run my hand over my beard. That frosty temperature is dropping by the second.

Time to break out the big guns.

“You and your smart mouth. I figured if the weather clears like they say, I’ll be able to get the sheetrock up in the carriage house.”

Ori takes the book from the guy seated next to her and pushes herself to standing. “Thanks. That’s a really kind offer.”

“I have my moments.”

She snorts, waving her hand at me in a dismissive fashion. “We’ll talk about this later. Eddie and I are heading out for an early lunch.”

So that’s his name.

My glare fixes on the guy as I thrust out my hand, all the while willing down the anger boiling inside me. “I assume you’re Eddie.”

He stands, shaking my hand with a calm, measured grip. “You assume correctly.”

“I’m Ash.”

Then I wait for the flicker of recognition to cross his face, proof that Ori has mentioned me.

I’ll be waiting a long damn time.

“Nice to meet you.”

Nothing in his tone, not a single glimmer of interest, indicates he has the slightest clue who I am.

And that knowledge makes my blood boil.

“How do you know Ori?”

Am I pressing? Damn right I am. That lump lodged in my throat since last night is growing by the second, and if I don’t get some answers—and fast—I’ll have no problem laying this kid out.

“Eddie owns a contracting company that specializes in old house restoration,” Ori interjects, her tone clipped but composed. “When he learned I’d bought the Dean Estate, he reached out to see how I was faring. I’ve hired him and his team to finish the repairs.”

Shaking my head, I pin my gaze on Ori. “What the hell? Without mentioning it to me?”

I know I have zero claim to her house, or the work being done there, but until this morning, Ori and I discussed every facet of the repairs. She ran everything by me, respected my input.

We were a team dedicated to restoring that home to its original glory.

What a difference a day makes.

“Eddie, would you give us a moment?” Ori grits her teeth, though her smile never falters.

“Sure. I’ll meet you in the car.” With a last nod in my direction, he exits the building.

If he’s smart, he won’t come back.

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