Page 87 of Chasing Sparks

Maybe it was just the undeniable, bone-deep truth that I am devastatingly, irrevocably in love with Asher Hammond.

The urge to tell him flares, even though I know he doesn’t believe in love—or at least, not for himself.

The romantic in me argues that he’s changed. He’s far different from the man I met that first night, when the lines between us were drawn in sarcasm and challenge.

There are moments—so many moments—that whisper I’m not like the others who came before me. This vacation is one of them.

Maybe it’s enough.

Maybe he’ll stay forever.

“Earth to Ori. You okay?” Ash waves a hand in front of my face, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I snap from my reverie and offer him a rueful smile. “Just thinking.”

“Always dangerous where you’re concerned. What’s up?”

Since there’s no way I’m sharing my actual inner dialogue, I opt for a safe subject. “Do you think the cold will hamper the progress on the carriage house?”

It’s a legitimate question—Eddie’s crew has been moving at a snail’s pace lately. I get it; the finer details take far longer to complete and don’t offer the same wow factor as a new bathroom or kitchen, even though they’re just as important.

But Ash, my unofficial partner in crime throughout this renovation, insists on period-appropriate accents and splashes. He has strong opinions on everything from wall sockets to drawer pulls, but I know it’s because he’s thinking of me. Plus, his taste is impeccable.

After all, he’s dating me, isn’t he?

Yes, I’m allowed a few moments to bask in triumph. There are hundreds of women who want Asher Hammond, and he chose me.

Take that, mean girls.

Ash sighs, his focus shifting to his plate. “It likely will. Batteries on the power tools don’t last in extreme temperatures. But it’s supposed to warm up in the next few days, and good old Eddie will get back to work.”

There’s no mistaking the sarcasm in his voice.

“Why do you hate Eddie so much? Has he done something to you?”

Ash shrugs, his gaze dropping to his food. “I just don’t like the guy,” he mutters, his fork pausing mid-air.

I know that tell, and I plan to milk it for all it’s worth. “Are you jealous of my relationship with Eddie?”

It’s a joke. There’s nothing between Eddie and me, but the muscle twitching in Ash’s jaw tells me I’ve hit a nerve.

“Youarejealous,” I say, leaning back with a sigh. “I know you’re a brilliant tradesman, but Ash, you’re so busy. The house would never get done if I relied on you and Braden to do all the heavy lifting. There aren’t enough hours in the day.”

“I know,” he mutters, stabbing at his eggs without meeting my eyes.

“Then what’s the problem? Eddie does great work, and you know it.”

Ash tosses his fork down and finally meets my gaze. “I don’t like the way he looks at you. Like he sees something I don’t deserve.”

My chest tightens, the rawness in his voice unraveling me.

“I haven’t noticed that.”

“Yeah, well, I have. Trust me, he’s been analyzing me, too—like he’s waiting for me to screw up so he can swoop in and steal you away.”

I reach across the table and squeeze his hand, letting my thumb trace over his skin. “No one is stealing me away from you. Besides, you only have one guy to fight off. I deal with an entire legion of Asher Hammond fans on a daily basis.”

Do I love that he’s concerned about another man homing in on what’s his? Absolutely. It’s the proof I need that maybe, just maybe, he’s in the same emotional place as me.

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