Page 56 of Chasing Sparks

Ori’s gaze meanders to Casey, who has—thankfully—returned all body parts to her side of the table. With a forced smile, she extends her hand in Casey’s direction. “I know we’ve met before, but I’m terrible with names.”

Time for me to jump in.

“Ori, this is Casey fromInk Spotmagazine. She interviewed me several weeks ago. You remember.”

Ori forces another smile. “That’s right. I thought you looked familiar when I saw you earlier.”

Casey snaps her fingers, pointing at Ori. “You’re the chick with the pizza, right?”

“Casey, these are my friends Ori and Mina. Ori owns the bookstore next toBlack Lotus. She looks after me, especially when I forget to eat.”

I mean it as a sweet sentiment, because Ori has taken care of me. Hell, she takes care of everyone atBlack Lotus, like a mother hen.

A mother hen with the finest curves on the planet.

But my words miss the mark by a mile.

I shoot Ori an endearing smile, just in time to watch hers slip from her face.

Meanwhile, Mina looks like she wants to drop me in a pot of boiling water alongside the lobsters.

Nowwhat the hell did I say?

I don’t need to wait long for the answer.

Ori straightens, averting her gaze to the floor. “Yep, that’s me. His friend from next door who force-feeds him pizza and coffee on occasion.”

Mayday, we have derailed.

Ori motions to Mina, who hasn’t stopped glaring holes into me. “We better go, or our food will get cold. Let’s leave ourfriendto his dinner. Have a good night.”

Then they walk away without a backward glance.

“Wow,” Casey says, swirling her wine. “That was dramatic.” She tilts her head, her smirk creeping back. “So, about those handcuffs …”

Her words barely register as I sit in stunned silence.

What the hell do I do now?

Do I run after Ori and explain my situation?

I don’t even know my situation—or if we actually have one.

I swear, women are so much more difficult to read than men. All men need is food and sex, and not necessarily in that order.

Women need … damned if I know, if recent events are anything to go on.

I toss down my napkin, intent on chasing Ori down, but Casey reaches over to stay my hand. “The food is here. Plus, she’s already gone. I have a clear view of the parking lot, and I saw her truck pull out.”

The server sets our plates down with a flourish, but I’ve lost my appetite.

Ori is hurt, and it’s all my fault.

I’m not sure how much she heard of Casey’s ramblings about sex toys and room service, but I saw the light flicker out in Ori’s eyes when I introduced her as my friend.

Add in this business dinner facade, and you’ve got my current clusterfuck.

“So, is that who you’ve been spending your nights with?” Casey inquires, popping a piece of food into her mouth. “No doubt she wants you all to herself, but that would be so unfair to the rest of us.”

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