Page 152 of Chasing Sparks

“But we can let him slide for one day, right? Come on, say yes. I bake a mean manicotti.”

I stare at the calendar again, weighing the pros and cons. Skipping this would be easier, but Lucille’s offer feels almost sincere.

Almost.

With a sigh, I relent and nod. “Sure. I’ll be there.”

I instantly regret accepting Lucille’s invitation and spend the next few hours ruminating over how to get out of it. As I place the new inventory on the shelves, I run through a range of excuses from car trouble to an emergency root canal.

Then it hits me.

A doctor’s appointment. I need a checkup, especially since I’ve been wrestling with this stupid dizziness for the last week.

“It’s a perfect and honest excuse.”

“What is?” Mina asks, scrunching her brows at me.

Crap. Didn’t mean to say that aloud.

I wave my hand, dismissing my words. “Nothing.”

“So, what didshewant?” Mina doesn’t elaborate on the subject of her question. She doesn’t need to, though she has far more colorful names for the love of Ash’s life.

“Lucille invited us to Ash’s birthday party tomorrow.”

Her eyes widen. “She’s throwing him a party?”

I shrug. “Some might say it’s a nice thing to do.”

“Or calculated. Are you going?”

“I told her we were, but now I’m trying to figure a way out of it.”

Mina taps her finger against her chin. “Actually, it’s perfect.”

“As a torture venue?”

“Your opportunity to tell Ash.”

“Tell Ash what?” a familiar voice asks from over my shoulder.

My heart drops to my stomach as I turn around, wondering how much Ash overheard of our conversation. “Hi.”

“Hi, yourself.” He smiles, pulling his bottom lip between his teeth. “What did you need to talk about?”

Mina jabs me in the ribs, and I wince, earning a glare from her. “Tell him,” she mouths.

Sorry, Mina, you’re not winning this round. I need Ash seated and calm when I break the news.

Possibly comatose.

“Lucille told me about your birthday party.”

Ash rubs the back of his neck and shifts his weight. “Yeah. She insisted. You’re coming, right?”

“Probably not.”

The smile falls from his face, and his jaw tightens as he averts his gaze. “How come?”

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