19. All’s Fair in Love and Coffee
Chapter 19
All’s Fair in Love and Coffee
Ori
“A
s a boss, you’re amazing, but as a friend, you suck.” Mina shoots me a mock glare from her seat on the bookstore floor.
My response? A casual shrug, since no amount of whining will get this task finished any faster. “Inventory is a necessary evil, Mina. Sorry it cut into our movie night. The sooner we get it done, the sooner we get to our beer and popcorn.”
“That’s not what I mean. Spill it, Ori. I’ve waited long enough.”
“I hope you’re going to clarify that statement.”
“What happened between you and Ash?”
Christ. Not this topic again.
I groan and roll my eyes, determined to stay on course. “Nothing to tell. We got locked in the basement together and survived. Now, we’re friends or … something. Next question.”
Mina cocks a sculpted brow in my direction and I realize she will not let this matter drop. Not this time .
“Why do you think anything happened?” I ask, hoping my expression comes across as one of idle curiosity.
Mina holds up her hands, counting on her fingers. “Let me state the reasons. First, it’s the way the man looks at you—though, to be fair, he’s always done that.”
I pause in pulling a book off the shelf. “Done what?”
“Stared at you. Like he couldn’t quite figure you out, but you intrigued him.”
“You mean glaring,” I reply with a chuckle. “More than likely, he was plotting ways to kill me while I slept. Trust me, I shot him my fair share of glares, too.”
“That’s not it. It was so over the top, your contempt for one another, that everyone saw it for what it was.”
I hate this game.
Releasing a heated sigh, I lean against the bookshelf and shoot her a withering look. “Which was what, exactly?”
“You two had a thing for each other. You wanted to hate each other and rip each other’s clothes off in equal measure. That kind of passion is hot, and it's why I want all the details.”
“Your crazy idea that us glaring daggers at each other equates to love might just be the silliest thing I’ve ever heard.”
Mina shrugs, but I see the smirk playing on her mouth as she averts her gaze. “Of course, there’s also the hickey you were sporting after your night together.”
Damn, I forgot she saw that.
I groan and bite back a laugh. “That wasn’t a hickey. It was …”
“An unprovoked vacuum attack?” Mina offers with a wide grin .
“Exactly,” I reply, giving her a supportive wave. “Asher Hammond wasn’t even in the room.”
“Woman, you are full of shit.”
“Think what you like. I know the truth.”
“Exactly. A truth you won’t share.” Mina uncrosses her legs and folds over them in a stretch. “Not to mention how many times the man drops in for coffee every day. No one consumes that much caffeine.”
Pushing my glasses up the bridge of my nose, I scan a few more titles, determined to appear unfazed by Mina’s statement. “He’s a busy guy. Takes a lot of energy to keep that train rolling.”
“You would know.”
“Honestly, he’s only over here because we brew good coffee. Just ask him. He’ll tell you the same thing.”
“You two are brewing something else.”
That’s where Mina is wrong. There’s nothing happening between Ash and me—especially after the other night, when I informed him we didn’t need to pretend to be friends. Since then, he hasn’t stepped foot into One More Page, or he’s gotten great at avoiding me.
It’s for the best. At least, that’s what I keep telling myself. One day, my heart and head will agree and I’ll be over my Asher Hammond crush for good.
Hopefully one day soon.
Mina smooths her pants, but the smug smile remains on her lips. “That, and Braden may have intimated something.”
“Good old Braden,” I mutter, realizing I’ve pulled the same book from the shelf three times.
“Plus, I was there when he pulled you into the supply closet, remember? ”
We need a change of conversation immediately , or we’ll never finish inventory and at this rate, my need for a drink increases exponentially with her every question. “Fine. You win. What do you want to know?”
“Was he magical?” She resumes her cross-legged stance, resting her chin on her hand as she gazes expectantly at me.
She has got to be kidding me.
“I’m not discussing details with you.”
“So, he was magical. Knew it.”
Pulling off my glasses, I pinch the bridge of my nose and count slowly to ten. “Mina, all the women in Sparkwood know this about Asher Hammond. It’s the worst-kept secret in town.”
“But it’s different with you.”
See, that’s the trouble. It’s no different with me. Not in the slightest. If anything, I drew the short straw. Some women in Sparkwood pique Ash’s interest and earn themselves a regular spot in his rotation.
I was just a box to check off on his to-do list.
“Look, it was a one-night thing, okay? Was it fun? Absolutely. And yes, the man is ridiculously talented in bed. But the only difference between me and his harem of women is that what happened between us will never happen again.”
End of story.
“I don’t get it,” Mina mutters.
I’m about ten seconds away from sprinting to the basement to grab my bottle of whiskey.
“Get what?”
“You had a great time with him. It’s obvious he did, too.”
“You heard him talking to Raven the day of the festival,” I snap, losing my temper despite my best efforts. “You heard her intimate why Ash slept with me. You were there, Mina.”
She raises her hands in surrender, realizing she’s overstepped. “I also know he came looking for you after the festival and Raven wasn’t with him. He was upset that you had left.”
“Doubt it,” I mutter. “He was just trying to save face. Nothing more. Look, I’m fine, okay? It’s over and done with. Can we talk about something else?”
Mina nods, flipping on the radio. “How about some music? I can blast death metal and let you work out your aggravation that way.”
Fuck it, I need to relax. Get a grip. Move on.
Chuckling, I shrug off the tension in my shoulders. “Death metal is never the answer, but I’m always up for some grunge. You know, my era of music.”
Mina grins at my comment. “Deal.”
A Pearl Jam song sounds through the speakers and I hum along, shaking off the malaise. It’s hardly the end of the world and soon, I’ll be lounging at Mina’s with a cold brew and a rom-com.
It’s going to be okay.
Hey, I get it. Mina’s a fellow member of the diehard romantics club, and she held out hope that true love might blossom between sworn enemies—a real-life romance born from of one night of wild passion.
For a second, I did, too.
The rest of my staff couldn’t care less if Ash and I made out, so long as we made up. Employees of both One More Page and Black Lotus are just relieved the war is over, that Ash and I can coexist in this shared space without the glares and muttered insults.
When our paths cross, we’re friendly. Neighborly.
It’s a far cry from our former relationship, but somehow, I think it’s worse.
Worse, because I can’t stop reliving my night with Ash—the feel of his mouth against mine, the weight of his body on top of me, his grizzly laugh, and the hint of a dimple when he smiles.
Worse still, because I know he used me to get my signature and I still fantasize about the man. That is some serious pull.
But I’ve counted three women in Ash’s company this past week, and I’m sure I’m underselling him. There are seven nights in the week, and no doubt he’s had a different beauty warming his bed for each one.
I’m long forgotten at this point.
So why can’t I stop thinking about him?
Yes, our romp was epic, to quote my sex-sated self, but how many other women have used that term to describe Asher Hammond? Dozens? Hundreds?
What does it matter, anyway?
Somehow, despite my insistence that my heart not get involved in Ash’s world, the damn organ refused to listen.
I feel something for him. Something I’ve never felt for any man.
Of all the men in the world, I fall for the one who’s incapable of commitment. Incapable of loving beyond the carnal.
Oriana, you never fail to exceed expectations.
“Well, well, well, speak of the devil,” Mina says from her perch on the ladder. “Ash is on his way over. ”
“Shit.” So much for keeping my cool. I scramble to my feet, knocking over a few books in my haste. “Do me a favor—tell him we’re closed, and he’ll have to grab his coffee somewhere else tonight.”
“What if he wants to talk to you?”
I wring my hands, desperate for the right words. Any words, at this point.
Sensing my nervous energy, Mina climbs down the ladder and pulls me into a hug. “Go into your office. I’ll handle Ash.”
All I can manage is a quick nod, eager to retreat to the safety of my inner sanctum. Motioning to the scattered books around us, I say, “And then head home. I’ll meet you and the girls there for movie night.”
“What about inventory?”
What about keeping quiet so I can escape to my office?
I wave my hand at the mess of books. “Tomorrow’s another day, and the books aren’t going anywhere. See you in an hour.”
Note to self: refrain from holding any variety of liquid item when flustered out of your mind. Without fail, you’ll wind up wearing said item.
I blot at the coffee stain on my blouse, but it’s a futile effort. With a sigh, I unbutton it and shrug it off. Best to leave that mess for the washing machine. Lucky for me, I came prepared with a change of clothes for movie night, and it’s the epitome of high fashion—fleece leggings and a sweatshirt big enough to burrow into for the rest of winter.
At least I avoided engaging in stilted dialogue with the man who bartered orgasms for my signature.
Mina took one for the team.
I duck into the tiny bathroom adjacent to my office. It’s no bigger than a broom closet, but it comes in handy during times like these.
A quick glance in the mirror reveals the wear of the last week. Funny how my night with Ash—whiskey-fueled and sleep-deprived—left me with pink cheeks and a healthy glow the next morning. Now, despite crawling into bed before ten every night, my eyes possess a deadened look, as if my soul is too tired to maintain the facade.
Maybe I just need a few good orgasms. I’ll give my vibrator a spin later, even if it’s a poor substitute. Honestly, it’s like eating spam after dining on caviar—not even in the same universe.
Blowing out a breath, I shake off the despondency and turn on the faucet to wash my face. Nothing like frigid water to scare the horniness right out of you.
Over the sound of the running water, I hear my office door creak open before swinging shut.
That’s strange. I guess Mina is still here.
“Mina, can you toss me my shirt from the bag in the corner?” I call out, drying my face with the hand towel hanging next to the sink.
But there’s no answer.
Maybe I’m hearing things, or the ghosts have chosen tonight to make their presence known.
Dear God, let it be the first option.
I emerge from the bathroom, clad only in my bra and pants, and cast a quick glance to the office door. “Hey, are you still here?”
“Depends on who you’re looking for,” a deep voice says to my right.
There, seated behind my desk with his hands casually folded behind his head, is Ash—wearing a devilish grin.
I jerk my hands to cover my tits. “Holy hell, you’re not Mina.”