Page 161 of Chasing Sparks

“He misses you, too.” Ash gestures to the three of us. “Our little family.”

His words pierce the armor around my heart, and I blink back tears.

If only ...

My mind races at his intimation, wondering if he knows.

Is that possible?

If I was brave, I’d take this moment and run with it. Tell him we’re expanding the family.

But my tongue is tied in knots.

Time to change the subject. I’ll circle back later.

I sit up, wringing my hands, trying to still the tremors reverberating through my body.

“How are things with Lucille?” I blurt out.

Ash’s eyes widen briefly before he rolls onto his back with a groan. “Why do you always have to bring up Lucille?”

“She’s your family, too.”

“No, she isn’t. She’s just a woman who can’t seem to avoid trouble, and I’m the lucky one who gets to clean up her mess.” He scrubs a hand over his face, his frustration giving way to guilt. “I don’t mean it like that, but this situation has turned my life upside down. And not in a good way.”

“Sometimes the best things in life are unexpected,” I breathe.

“Her situation is not one of them.” He leans over Merlin to place a soft kiss on my lips, his voice dropping to a murmur. “However, you are an entirely different story.”

“How so?”

“I told you. You’re my true north.”

I chew my lip, a small smile breaking free as Merlin scampers off the bed to chase a foil ball.

Ash reaches out, tucking a stubborn strand of hair behind my ear before scooting closer on the bed. “You look tired.”

“Is that a nice way of saying I look like crap?”

He snorts, dragging his fingers lightly along my side. “I’m not that stupid.”

I glare at him, but he holds up his hands in mock surrender, chuckling. “You’re gorgeous, woman. But you look tired. Are you okay?”

There’s another opening.

A perfect opportunity to tell Ash the reason for my exhaustion.

A moment I let slide by—again—as the blood pounds in my ears.

With a sigh, Ash pulls me into his arms, burying his face against my neck.

For a moment, I forget the outside world.

For a moment, we’re back on that beach in the Keys again.

I heave out a sigh, gearing myself up for the discussion. “Ash, can we talk?”

He nods against my skin, his beard a delicious tickle. “Just give me a second. I’m lost in you, and I’m not ready to leave.”

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