Page 127 of Chasing Sparks

Unlocking my office, I step inside, barely making it to my desk before the door flies open, slamming against the wall with a thud.

I tear my gaze upward, startled to see Ori standing there, a bouquet clenched in her hands and fire in her eyes.

Not quite the reaction I hoped for.

“Hey, beautiful. You got the flowers.”

Nothing like stating the obvious, Ash.

Her glare could level a building as she stomps forward, slamming the vase onto my desk so hard that water sloshes over the rim.

“Cease and desist,” she hisses.

“I was just about to head over there and grab a coffee?—”

“Find somewhere else to buy your brew because I can’t handle it anymore. I can’t do this insanity.”

“Hang on. Please.” I step forward and close the office door, motioning toward the chair. “Come on, sit down. Let’s talk.”

But Ori has no intention of following orders. She plants her hands on her hips, her foot tapping an angry rhythm against the floor. “I don’t want to talk. What is there to talk about?”

“Last night, for starters.”

Ori rolls her eyes, a mirthless laugh escaping her lips. “I already know. You were drunk. You said a bunch of things you didn’t mean. Yada yada.”

Wait, what?

“That isn’t?—”

Her body trembles, every inch of her vibrating with restrained rage. “I can’t do this anymore. Can’t you see that? Can’t you see what your situation is doing to me? If you care about me at all, please leave me alone.”

“I get it, but I promise there’s nothing between Lucille and me.”

“That’s not what the entire town of Sparkwood thinks.”

“Who the fuck cares what they think?”

Ori points to herself, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I do! Imagine how I feel in this scenario—this reality television, fucked-up, beyond-all-recognition scenario. I thought dating you would be exciting, but it’s literally hazardous to my health.”

“Will you please sit down for a few minutes?” I fumble through my desk drawer, desperate to find an aspirin. “And can we take the volume down a notch? My head is blasting.”

“That’s what happens when you down a bottle of whiskey and spout a bunch of lies and half-truths. Life catches up with you, Ash. Eventually, everyone has to pay the piper.”

My hand finally closes around the aspirin bottle, but my nerves are so shot I can’t get the damn top off. Next up? A hammer to smash the thing open.

Ori grabs the bottle and pops it open with ease, dumping two pills onto the desk.

I can’t help it. That slight gesture, even at the height of her anger, makes me smile.

Unfortunately, smiling is the wrong move.

“I’m glad you find this amusing.”

“I don’t, but I appreciate that even though you think I’m a total asshole, you still give me the aspirin. You’re sweet, Ori.”

“Fuck sweet, Ash. I’m tired of this … whateverthisis. I’m tired of people whispering when they pass me, knowing full well what they’re saying. Do you know I overheard the florist discussing us last night? She felt sorry for me, clinging to hope while you string me along. And this morning, I had to smile at her and pretend it didn’t gut me.”

“I’ll call the florist.”

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