Page 131 of Fanning the Flames

“I hate that you have to lie to your family and friends again.”

“It’s not entirely a lie. You did invest.”

“But they’re gonna wonder how I’m making money,” Joan said.

“If you’d like, we can casually drop the truth at Sunday night dinner at my sister’s house.” Sadie raised her eyebrows likeNot a chance.

It would be kind of nice to let them know Joan was a good guy now. Maybe her own family even suspected it. Not that it mattered, but then again, what better revenge?

Sadie’s phone buzzed with an incoming text. “Nyah’s coming by in about an hour. She’s bringing champagne.”

“Nice. And yeah, a couch and table will fit here.”

The door creaked open. A moment later, Gus moved through the entrance. Perry tried to assist her, but she batted him away. “I’ve got it,” she groused.

Her healing had aged her about ten years, which she was none too happy about. Her mobility was back to normal, but she definitely had more wrinkles and a white streak in her blonde hair and aches and pains she’d staved off for a long time. Her sacrifice was still very much appreciated.

She peered through her glasses—ones she actually needed now. Sadie rushed over to give her a hug. “Welcome to your building!”

“Yes, yes.” Gus patted her with both hands. “It’s a big day.”

Sadie showed her around, pointing out what she had planned. Perry joined Joan against the long white counter. She’d gotten to know Gus at a few homecooked dinners. She was as private as Perry, but they let things slip now and again. Weirdly cute ways she teased him about snoring, and him about her use of old-timey sayings likedagnabbitandconsarn it. Joan had caught him holding her hand once in his condo, both insisting it was for additional support for her aging body.

Which was about as convincing as Mark and Zee saying they were just hanging out. Overnight. Arriving “separately” to HQ in the same clothes they’d been wearing the night before. Everyone had picked up on it, but only Joan and Kade were gleefully (and, okay, relentlessly) teasing them about it.

Sadie spanned her fingers along the back wall that blocked the small kitchen area. “On this wall, I’d love to feature work by local artists.”

Gus nodded in agreement. “I like that. Perhaps I can paint a little something for it.”

“Oh, I’d love that.” Sadie slid a knowing look at Perry. “A landscape, perhaps?”

“Perhaps.”

Perry pretended not to smile. He gazed at Gus like she was the most beautiful woman in the world. A few extra wrinkles hadn’t changed that.

Joan nudged him and said, “You know you’re allowed to be excited about this.”

“I am.” He pulled a thick roll of papers from his inside jacket pocket. “Sadie reads and discusses everything you and Mark ignored.”

“I meant Gus. Her being here.”

“I’m excited about that, too,” he said quietly.

“Perry has a good eye for arranging pieces,” Gus said.

Sadie glanced back at him. “I’ll definitely consult with him because I’m more about vibes.”

Turning toward the front windows, Gus crossed her arms and said, “I like this place and want to see it succeed. If there is anything I can do, just say the word.”

“Thank you, Gus. You’ve already done so much.”

“This could be a real neighborhood hangout.”

“Where friends gather,” Sadie murmured, getting that gleam in her eye that said a new craft project was brewing.

A SuperWatch notification jingled from Joan’s phone. She checked that damn app more now than ever before.

Ice and Lunk had been spotted signing autographs for a group of tourists checking out what remained of Friendship Park. Mark had taken to being in the public eye like an ice cube to lemonade.

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