Page 112 of Chasing Sparks

I need to go.

Now.

The familiar sound of Ash’s boots echoes down the hallway, growing louder until he steps into the doorway. His eyes widen when he sees me, and he sucks in a sharp breath. “Ori, you’re here.”

My lower lip trembles, but I force my voice to sound normal, unaffected by the blow just dealt to my heart. “I was worried about you not eating right, but … I see you’re fine. I’m leaving now.”

Tossing the basket aside, I race down the walkway, tears blurring my vision.

“Ori, wait.” Ash grabs my arm, spinning me around to face him. “Please, let me explain.”

“Explain what?” My voice cracks, raw with emotion. “Your great love is back, and she’s brought reinforcements. Congratulations on that, by the way. Banner day for you.”

Ash’s jaw tightens, his expression grim. “Trust me, you don’t understand. Come inside so we can talk.”

“You were with her last night?”

His gaze drops to the gravel, his voice a low rumble. “Yes. I didn’t know until yesterday.”

“Did you cheat on me?”

“Never. This was … before you and me.”

I wipe my eyes, but the tears keep falling, hot and relentless. “You told me you two had slept together, but I didn’t realize it was a few months ago.”

He drags a hand through his messy hair, the tension radiating off him. “It just happened. We’re not together.”

Is that supposed to make me feel better?

“Well, you should be,” I snap. “You’re having a baby. You’re a family.”

“It’s complicated.”

At that moment, I realize it’s not.

“No, it’s simple. You love Lucille. It’s only ever been her, and look how lucky you are—dreams do come true for some people.”

Ash’s hands slide along my face, his touch firm, forcing me to meet his gaze. “No way. I don’t love Lucille.”

His words hang in the air, doing nothing to soothe the ache in my chest.

And now I feel like even more of a fool for proclaiming my love for Ash during our vacation.

“Well, we both know you don’t love me.”

“Ori—”

I throw up my hands, cutting him off. “Honestly, just stop talking. Nothing you can say will make this situation feel any better for me. I’m just another name in your long line of women while you waited for Lucille’s return. I see that now.”

“You don’t see?—”

“Shut up,” I hiss, anger flooding my veins. “Just stop with the bullshit, okay? I was a fool for believing this meant something. ThatImeant something.”

“You mean everything to me.”

How is it that the vision in my head is so drastically different from reality? I knew Lucille destroyed Ash, but I never guessed he still carried a torch for her. There’s a fool born every minute, and this time, it’s me.

Dragging a hand under my nose, I turn and walk to my truck, but Ash is hot on my heels. As soon as I reach for the handle, his hand covers mine.

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