Page 63 of Chasing Sparks

The second Eddie steps away, Ori lets her exasperation loose from its cage. Her jaw tightens, and her arms cross over her chest as her steely gaze meets mine.

“What was that?”

“I was about to ask you the same thing. Who the fuck is that guy?”

“Like I told you, he’s a reputable contractor. He’s worked on dozens of homes like the Dean Estate.”

“So he claims.”

“I’ve checked his references, and they’re impeccable. He helped restore Benjamin Hartwood’s estate and consulted on Aurum Ridge. If a billionaire tycoon can trust the man, so can I. Anything else, or are we done with this lecture?”

Time to try another tack.

I grasp her shoulder, giving it an affectionate squeeze. “I worry, Ori. The last thing I want is for some guy to take advantage of you.”

You know those moments when you realize one second too late that you’ve said the worst possible thing on the face of the planet?

This would be one of those moments.

Ori’s gaze hardens, and she shirks from my grasp. “Funny how that’s a concern to you now.”

“Ori—”

“I’m not having this argument. I need to get that house restored. The longer it sits, the worse the damage. Those areyourwords. Now, I may not be an expert in the field of construction, but I’m a damn fine businesswoman, and I checked this guy out. Thoroughly.”

I can keep pushing, but Ori’s emotional walls rival my own, and every word I say will only make them higher.

“Like I said, I worry about you.” My voice is softer now, gentler, an attempt to reassure her that my concern is genuine.

But it’s a moot point.

“Well, don’t. I’m a big girl, Ash.” She forces a smile as she pats my arm in an awkward, dismissive gesture. “I have to go. Eddie is waiting.”

Releasing a noisy sigh, I shove my hands in my pockets. “Where are you two eating? The burger joint?”

Ori shakes her head, grabbing her coat from the hook behind the counter. “We’re headed toLa Belle Étoile.”

Any semblance of calm washes away the second she mentions the French bistro.

Why? Because I planned on taking Ori there. Hell, the woman’s been talking nonstop about it since it opened a few weeks ago. Per her, she was a French food virgin, and I was all too happy to pop her cherry.

“That’s fucking great,” I bark, dragging a hand through my hair.

Her eyes narrow. “What’s your problem now?”

“You know I wanted to eat there.”

“I planned on taking us this weekend.”

Instead of softening, her expression grows colder. “Sure, you did. Just like you promised to take me to that seafood restaurant, only instead of me, you took another woman.”

“It was a business dinner,” I hiss, my composure slipping with every word.

“One that involves handcuffs and lube? Spare me your bullshit stories, Ash. I don’t believe a word out of your mouth.”

“I’ve never lied to you,” I snap, fully aware Mina and Braden are both watching from the sidelines.

Normally, I keep my personal life under wraps, but the anger coursing through me has taken on a life of its own.

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