Page 155 of Chasing Sparks

“Do I?”

“Ori, you are notthatblind.” Mina leans in, forcing me to meet her wide-eyed gaze. “The man is in love with you. He offered to marry you.”

“To save the house,” I interject. “Not because he loves me.”

“Why does it have to be one or the other? Why can’t it be both?”

“Because Ash doesn’t believe in both.” I exhale sharply and cross my arms over my chest, desperate to shut down the conversation. “At least not with me.”

“What happened to the woman I knew a month ago? The one who knew Asher Hammond was her soulmate and was going to prove it to him? Where did that Oriana go?”

“She left when Lucille arrived.” My voice drops, and I shrug, avoiding Mina’s gaze. “She didn’t leave a forwarding address.”

Have I ruminated on Ash’s offbeat proposal? Only every spare moment. Okay, every moment.

For the past twenty-four hours, I’ve thought of little else. Ash, for his part, hasn’t mentioned it again, although he asked me to join him for dinner and drinks in the speakeasy.

I begged off, claiming I was buried in work after the conference.

But that’s only partially true.

A pall hangs over the speakeasy ever since Lucille walked in on us, making me feel like an intruder in my love life. Despite Lucille and me clearing the air, I’m still pretty gun-shy.

Am I horny? All the damn time, but that’s why I have a vibrator, remember? Let’s just say it’s getting its fair share of use.

I’ve also rolled through a billion different excuses for skipping the party tonight, although none sound plausible—especially not after I told Ash I’d be there.

Unless you count the fragile state of my heart and how distance is key to my survival.

“All closed up,” Mina announces, dropping the key into the drawer. “Are you almost ready?”

I fake a cough and shoot her a pitiful look. “I’m sick?”

“Nice try, Ori, but I’m dragging you there even if you test positive for the flu.”

“Damn. I thought we were friends.”

“We are. And I love you enough to push your stubborn ass into doing what’s right. I’m tired of carrying this secret around, worried I’ll slip up and say something and then I’m the bad guy. You’re pregnant. Deal with it.”

She’s none too happy that I’ve yet to tell Ash about our impending arrival and takes every opportunity to nudge me ever so gently in that direction.

So far, I’ve been a billy goat—stubborn and unrelenting.

It’s not that I don’t want to tell Ash. Okay, that’s not entirely true. I dread telling him for so many reasons, not least of whichis the disappointment and shock I fear I’ll see when he learns he’s got not just one, but two baby mamas.

Some stories are too hot even for reality television. Sadly, ours is one of them.

Let’s not forget how Ash has been a bit of a horse’s ass lately, what with going postal over Eddie and not bothering to wait around to learn the truth.

Yes, he apologized. Several times. But I can’t help feeling irked that he seems to think his dimpled grin and remorseful expression will buy his way out of the doghouse.

Even when it works like a charm on every other woman in Sparkwood.

Sue me, I’m not every woman.

Throw in his random marriage proposal, and I’m so twisted, I don’t know which end is up.

“Well?” Mina is not letting up. Not this time. “It’s the perfect opportunity.”

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