Page 153 of Chasing Sparks

Let me count the reasons. How much time do you have?

Instead, I hem and haw, all legitimate excuses flying from my mind. “I … well, see I’m …” I huff out a breath and force myself to meet Ash’s gaze. “It’s been a long week.”

“For all of us. All the more reason to spend some quality time together.”

Yeah, you, me, your baby mama, and your poor friends who have no idea who to root for in this situation.

A slight wave of dizziness hits, and I steady myself against the counter. Ash notices immediately, his protective instincts flaring as he steps closer and grips my elbow.

“Are you okay?”

This is another perfect entry point into the pregnancy conversation, which I’m also choosing to ignore.

Chicken shit extraordinaire, at your service.

“I’m fine. Just a bit tired.”

“Maybe because you’re running yourself into the ground?”

“Likely that’s the reason. It’s probably nothing.”

“You should get checked out. I’ll take you to the doctor,” Ash offers.

“Why would you want to spend an afternoon in a doctor’s waiting room just to hear I need a nap?”

He frowns slightly, his concern visible, before a grin softens his face. “Because I like you a whole hell of a lot.”

There’s that damn word again. Like. He likes me. Hereallylikes me. A whole hell of a lot, even.

Too bad it’s the wrong L word.

The bells jangle above the shop door, and I seize my opportunity to escape the stilted silence. “That’s a sweet suggestion, but I have to go. There’s a customer waiting.”

But when I turn, I realize it’s not a customer. It’s that damn investor again, and even though I’m seriously considering throwing in the towel with the Dean Estate, I don’t appreciate the way the man keeps pushing me to decide.

I groan and mentally steel myself for another round of fending off McGwyer Holdings.

“No way,” Ash booms behind me, storming toward the well-dressed man. “Get out of here.”

The man doesn’t flinch, adjusting his tie as he pulls a stack of papers from his briefcase. “I have a new offer for Ms. Thorne, which I think she should seriously consider.”

Ash steps closer, anger radiating from his aura. “What part of no don’t you understand? Now, before I drag your fat ass out of this store, I suggest you leave and never come back. Asfor your boss, you let him know to stay away from Ori. Do you understand what I’m telling you?”

The man barely spares Ash a glance, his smug expression unwavering. “I am under strict orders to speak to Oriana Thorne, andonlyOriana Thorne.”

Ash clenches his fists at his sides, his voice dropping to a dangerous growl. “Well, as her future husband, I’m telling you to speak to me. Don’t you bother her again, or I will hunt you down. Now get out.”

The man’s composure finally cracks, his face reddening as he fumbles to close his briefcase. Without another word, he hurries out the door, no doubt leaving with an extra stain on his trousers.

I stand frozen, watching Ash take this investor down, peg by peg.

I don’t want to miss a second of my man defending my honor, even if it’s against a pasty, paunchy middle-aged man who’s likely never seen a fistfight in his life.

My man.

Seems my heart is still set on that idea.

Ash turns and huffs out a breath, shooting me a rueful smile. “That felt fantastic.”

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