Page 59 of Ash Storm

Ash looked at the wrapper. “Oreo cookie.”

She sighed. “I doubt this bar has ever met a real Oreo cookie.”

“You like Oreo cookies?”

“I love Oreo cookies,” she said, smiling. “Who doesn’t?”

Ash couldn’t remember the last time he’d eaten one. But he wanted to buy some Oreo cookies now, for her. Packs and packs of cookies. Anything to get her to smile like that again.

Griffin’s green eyes opened. His face contorted in pain, but he didn’t make a sound. He blinked, as if struggling to focus.

“Where are we?”

“Close to the secondary meeting point.”

“You’re a stubborn bastard,” Griffin said.

“And you’re about a ton heavier than you look,” Ash replied.

“Must be the weight of my sunny personality,” Griffin said, his voice already losing strength. “Listen, Ash, could you tell Slate—“

“I’m not going to tell Slate jack shit,” Ash growled. “So hold on to that fucking thought and tell him yourself.”

Reka came up to wipe at Griffin’s face with a wet rag.

“Hold on for us, Griffin, okay?” she asked softly.

Griffin didn’t reply. He’d fainted again.

Ash felt a slight pressure on his arm, looked to see Reka, offering him half of the energy bar.

“You need to eat as well,” she said.

Fuck, he was falling fast. She was funny and courageous and thoughtful and strong, not to mention the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on.

He shook his head, but she waved the energy bar in his face until he took it and took a bite.

Also stubborn.

And damned if he didn’t like that as well.

Feeling stronger, somehow, he leaned down and pulled Griffin back over his shoulders. They still had a long way to go.