Page 181 of Chasing Sparks

“Areyouokay?” I ask, flipping my friend’s initial question back on her.

“I’m fine.”

Damn, but we love that answer, don’t we?

Wrap your pain in a bow labeled ‘fine’ and hope no one notices you’re falling apart.

But I don’t argue with her response. We can hash it out in person, and then I can decide if Braden deserves to be strung up by his pinky toes or if he gets a reprieve—this time, at least.

I throw on my clothes from the day before. The one benefit of being on the sobriety bandwagon? My clothes don’t smell like smoke or beer.

I’ll take the win where I can get it.

After taming my hair into a braid and shoving my glasses onto my face, I peek in the mirror hanging above the dresser.

World, this is as good as it gets. Please lower your expectations accordingly.

Now watch—I’ll run into everyone I’ve ever met between here and the store.

Lucille sits at the kitchen table, sipping a cup of coffee. She smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. Tension lines her face and the worry wafting off her is palpable.

No doubt she’s not thrilled Ash has another woman roosting here. Who can blame her?

“Good morning, Ori. Want some coffee?”

“I’m good, thanks.”

“You sure? Although it is decaf, so it lacks the kick.” Her tone sounds innocent enough, but I think she knows far more than she lets on about my sudden appearance at the farm.

But Ash wanted to keep everything a secret, so I’m Fort Knox. “No thanks. I’m headed toOne More Page.”

“I thought you were supposed to be resting.”

“Just need a few things from my office. Are you working today?”

Lucille nods, her gaze drifting out the window. “Working from home. Be safe driving.”

Another innocuous reply, but it sticks in my craw—a reminder that I’m the runner-up, and as long as Lucille is here, I’ll always be on the outside looking in.

Time to hit the road. Dr. Fulton wants me to rest? Fine, but I’ll do it from my apartment. Staying here is far too stressful, and he did say stress is bad for the baby.

Don’t you love logic?

With a wave, I duck out the door and make a beeline for my truck. Funny how, only a month ago, this farm brought me such a sense of peace. Now it feels like enemy territory.

Truth be told, I’m the trespasser. Time for me to accept that fact.

I almost made it—I wasthisclose to escaping.

If I hadn’t taken those extra fortifying breaths before shifting my truck into reverse, I would’ve missed Lucille’s frantic wave as she hurried toward me.

Stupid breath work. Totally overrated.

With a sigh, I lower the window. “Are you okay?”

“Can I ride in with you? I forgot a sketch at the parlor, and there’s no sense wasting gas. Besides, this gives us a chance to catch up.”

I nod, though I’d rather stick a burning poker in my eye than endure a thirty-minute ride with Ash’s baby mama.

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