Page 53 of Fanning the Flames

Joan dressed in the same violet-and-navy plaid flannel and black pants she’d worn that day. They probably still smelled like Hot and Cold and its oils and proteins and general cookery. Wearing the clothes from one identity to deal with the other.

Poor Joanie. She was never going to get away from being Spark.

But what if Spark could be something more? Something better?

“I know it’s hard to work with the Supers,” Sadie said. “But I’m proud of you. You’re doing the right thing.”

“I’m doing the only thing I can. They own my ass.”

“Better them than these new Villains. And Big Quake.” Sadie hugged her arms. “Now I definitely don’t want people thinking you’re working with them. I’m pretty sure Big Quake is the reason my mom’s so afraid of the city.”

Joan pulled her hair back, grimacing when a chunk fell over one eye. She grabbed a dark hair tie from the small garnet-red ceramic bowl Sadie had given her as a Christmas present. “Greta loves tea. She’d like your chamomile concoction.”

“You don’t want her out and about gathering more intel?”

“She’ll look after you.”

Slight irritation needled at her neck. “I don’t need anyone to look after me.”

“You know what I mean. You’ll be together. I can account for everyone I care about.”

That wasn’t what she meant. Not entirely. Greta could kick anyone’s ass, so she’d be able to defend Sadie.

Why didn’t anyone think she could defend herself? Joan trusted Greta, but sometimes she didn’t trust Sadie in the same way.

Joan started for the doorway. Sadie held out a hand. “Can you redo my bra really quick?”

“Of course.” Joan moved her hands under Sadie’s blouse. Ooh, wow, they were hot. She was a lot more worried than she was letting on.

“Text me if you need anything,” Sadie said. “Be safe. I love you.”

“Love you, too.” Joan kissed her cheek before striding out of the bedroom.

Greta watched her old friend disarm the alarm. Then she looked between Joan and Sadie. “The domestic life suits you.”

That would’ve made Sadie happy any other time. This was supposed to be their sanctuary, only it was getting more and more intruded upon.

“Have fun,” Joan said, although her faraway look told them she was focused on something un-fun.

Once the door closed, Sadie locked it. “Do you like chamomile tea?”

“Where’s she really going?” Greta asked.

Crap.“Trust me, you do not want to be around her and Mark when they’re?—”

“That wasn’t Mark who texted. Don’t make me hack her phone. Where’s she going?”

“Uhh…”

“If she didn’t tell me, it was someone she doesn’t want me to know about. The only people I don’t want to know about are our city’s Superheroes. So that must mean?—”

“It was Race,” Sadie blurted out. “They’re kind of friends now. Mark has a crush on them he’s totally denying. Race wanted to hang out with them both. Joanie doesn’t want you worrying.”

“You mean Zee,” Greta said. “I know their names.”

Her impassive face gave nothing away. Did she believe that story? It was mostly the truth.

“Why didn’t you go?”

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