Page 65 of Chasing Sparks

But it’s easier to focus on my ex than on my current situation.

Why?

Because I feel too damn much for Ori.

And that idea scares the hell out of me.

Ori gave me an out earlier, so why don’t I take it? Return to the life I’ve led for the last decade and forget the one hot month with the petite bookshop owner.

Because I never want to forget a moment with Ori.

I want more moments, tons of them, all centered on her—her laugh, her scent, the feel of her body against mine.

I want them all. But that means giving up the life I knew before and diving headfirst into the unknown. An unknown I swore I’d never enter again.

Is Ori worth that risk?

Hell, for all I know, she’s relieved by my stupid antics from the night before.

But I need to know for certain.

“Fuck this,” I mutter, peeling off my gloves after finishing with my last client.

Luckily, I’m not known for much bedside conversation. Still, a bit of small talk might’ve helped fill the abyss of my current mindset.

“Hey. Phone call for you.” Braden taps me on the arm, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“Who is it?”

“Casey. She’s still in town. I wasn’t sure if you’d want to talk to her, so I said I had to check to see if you’d left. Are you still here?”

Glancing outside, I spot Ori’s truck in the lot. “No, I’m gone.”

Braden smiles knowingly. “I kind of figured. Good luck.”

“Think I’ll need it?”

“I think you both will. Either that or a little less stubbornness.”

Mina manages another scowl when I walk intoOne More Page, but I’m in no mood for her extended grudge.

I smack the coffee counter with my gloves, locking eyes with her. “Nothing happened. Stop acting like something did.”

“Ori told me to forget about it, but I’m still mad at you.”

“That’s apparent.”

Mina huffs out a breath before sliding a cup of coffee down the bar to me. “Why Ori? Why did you have to choose her?”

“Why the hell not? She’s gorgeous, brilliant, an all-around amazing person. Why wouldn’t I choose her?”

“Because she’s too good to be part of your harem.”

“My what?”

“Don’t act like you’ve never heard that term used in conjunction with you before.”

“Never from you.”

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