Igniting Ash Read Online Free PDF Page A

already seeing the flashing signs for the approaching fast food restaurants. Emma said nothing further until he’d parked the car outside one of them and they were ready to walk inside.
    Asher looked to the ground, kicking a stone with the toe of his boot. His hands were shoved firmly into the front pockets of his jeans as his anxiety started to return. “Is this one okay for you? I picked the first one, but we could easily walk to the next one, if you prefer.”
    Surprising him, she came closer, linking her arm through his and tugging a little. “You’re so amusing. I’m fine as long as it’s real caffeine, not that decaf nonsense.”
    “Oh.”
    Tugging again, she said, “Come on, you said you were hungry and I wouldn’t want you passing out on me.”
    His arm warmed to her touch, the sensation not unpleasant as it usually was when people got too close to him. Tonight was turning out to be the most bizarre he’d had in an extremely long time.
    “So, are you intent on spending the rest of the night shoe gazing, or are you going to look me in the eyes when you talk to me?”
    Shocked by her question, his head shot up, and his brown eyes meeting her blue ones.
    “That got your attention,” she added, grinning as she opened the door and almost dragged him inside. “Go and find us a seat. I’ll get you some food.”
    “You’re joking, right?”
    “Why? Can’t a woman buy a man food in your world?”
    Her response was tight, her spine snapping straight as she stared him defiantly. Asher raised his hands in surrender. “Whoa, calm down. I was thinking maybe you wanted to check your dress in the bathroom. I really wasn’t intending to offend you, Emma.”
    Her cheeks bloomed with embarrassment and she closed her eyes for an instant as her shoulders sagged. “I’m an idiot. I’m sorry. I have this thing…um, my dad—”
    “No need to explain.” Asher cupped her elbow, moving them out of another couple’s way. “Go and check your dress, and I’ll get you a real coffee.”
    “Thank you.”
    “Are you sure that’s all you want?”
    Emma offered him a short nod, turning and hurrying in the direction of the bathroom. He could now see, in the light of the restaurant, that her dress wasn’t soiled very much. She could clean it easily, even though the sheer fabric was so light in colour.
    Asher wondered why he even cared whether her dress could be salvaged or not as he stalked over to the counter, shaking his head. He quickly browsed the brightly lit menu, his stomach growling in response. The smell of the greasy burgers and fries only made his hunger increase. He should have eaten before leaving for the party with Ben, however, he’d been far too nervous to try and keep anything down.
    He snorted a little too loudly, unable to believe that he’d worked himself up about going to a silly lock and key party. Yet here he was, spending time with a woman he hadn’t seen in ten years. His head was scrambled.
    When the girl behind the counter asked him for the second time what she could get him, he ordered without giving it further consideration. In fact, when he sat down in a corner booth he couldn’t recall what was in the paper wrappers. The only item he could be certain of was the large fries that sat enticingly in their cardboard container. He popped one into his mouth, the salty tang lighting up his taste buds at the exact moment Emma returned.
    “Does it look like I wet myself?”
    Asher choked. The potato strip lodging itself in his throat. Coughing, he hoped to shift it but it only made his eyes water and his throat sore. Emma worriedly handed him the large fizzy drink, placing the straw at his lips.
    “Sip it.” She patted his back.
    He took a careful sip, feeling the liquid begin to soothe his raw throat. Encouraged, he sucked again, breathing a sigh of relief when he swallowed the fry. He coughed a few more times, shifting so that she could sit down next to him.
    “Good job I came back when I