Page 72 of The Switch: A Friends To Lovers Romance

Tara shuffled her feet. “Well, I think it’s rather obvious, but Chief said to tell you not to come in today or tomorrow.”

“What? But they’re already airing the story! I need to write my article.”

“You can do that when you get back.”

“It’ll be too late by then. I worked so hard for this. How can I give my scoop up? No way. I have to come in.”

Luke turned to her and narrowed his eyes.

Ashanti swallowed and amended. “Fine, I’ll stay home.” She looked at Tara and pleaded. “Can I at least email my draft? It needs to go to print as soon as possible.”

“Fine. I’ll talk to Chief. In the meantime, rest up. I’ll call you later.” Tara turned as if she’d leave.

“Wait.” Ashanti’s eyebrows scrunched. “Where are you going? You just got here.”

Tara smiled. “Unlike some people, I don’t have the day off. Besides, you have Luke. I’m sure you’ll be well-taken care of.”

“But…”

Tara didn’t stick around to hear her objections. She trotted off, leaving Ashanti alone with Luke.

Her eyes slid to his. His expression hadn’t softened one iota. If anything, he looked even more pissed. She glanced away. “Who’s watching the store?”

“Weng.” His answer was clipped. Abrupt. Annoyed.

“You should get back before it gets late. Weng’s probably overwhelmed with the after-school rush.”

“He’ll be fine.”

Ashanti traced shapes into the mattress and whispered, “I’m sorry I didn’t call you. I didn’t think it would be important.”

“You didn’t think…” Luke scoffed and dipped his head as if her stupidity physically overwhelmed him. “Ashanti, you got beaten up by a thug and that wasn’t worth a call?”

“You can stop shouting. I said I was sorry.”

He remained silent, his jaw clenching and unclenching like it was doing a bench press.

Ashanti hesitantly touched his arm. “You’re… not going to tell my dad, are you?”

“This is the sort of thing he asked me to keep tabs on.”

“Luke…” She pushed out her bottom lip. “Please don’t tell. Dad will cut his cruise short and rush home to be with me. I’m really fine.”

“I’ll think about it.”

Ashanti nodded, sensing that pushing him now when he was in such a crappy mood would be counterproductive.

Luke looked at her, seeming to calm a little. “Do you need anything? Are you in pain? Should I call the doctor?”

She half-smiled. “You can help me by acting like we’re not in a hospital right now.”

“How do I do that?”

“Talk to me.” She closed her eyes. “How was your day?”

“It was okay. I made some orders. Did an inventory check. Paid my taxes.”

“When did you call Weng to cover for you at the café?” Ashanti asked, eyes falling closed. When Luke kept quiet, she opened them back again and stared at the side of his face. “Luke?”

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