Page 62 of Fanning the Flames

“Old.” Perry snorted. “I was thirty.”

“And how old was Amazing Woman? I mean how old was she when?—”

A thump against the wall inside the conference room was followed by someone going, “Shh.” Ah, leave it to the Supers to spy on them.

Perry glared at the open doorway, but his face said he wasn’t surprised.

For everyone’s benefit, Joan asked, “Do you think you could talk her into coming back to help with this Quake situation?”

“I doubt it,” said Perry. “If you think I’m stubborn and uncooperative…”

“We should get him to ask her,” Kade’s deep voice said through the wall.

“Shh,” someone hissed. Probably Darlene.

Perry stared at the wall. “She’d want to be involved less than we do,” he said loudly enough for all to hear.

Joan flicked her fingers by habit. Four clueless Superheroes, three reluctant former Villains, and one really old Hero who wanted nothing to do with any of this.

Vector City was kind of fucked.

CHAPTER11

Having their monthly meeting early the next afternoon felt odd. Joan shifted in her usual seat at the warehouse table, antsy and restless.

They used to meet here to review villainous exploits, then to go over things for Hot and Cold. Today was supposed to be about the food truck, but all she could think about was what had transpired the night before.

The Supers really sucked at working together. No wonder it’d been easy to fool them for so many years. It was about individual success to them. Things had ended last night with them going around in circles with what to do.

The only thing they did agree on was that Perry needed to convince Amazing Woman to help out. Or at least agree to a video call from wherever she was hiding. Per seemed intent on protecting her. There was a whole lot more to hisWe’re just friendsstory.

Sadie winked from across the table. She too was fascinated by Perry’s secret.

Speaking of secrets… Mark had been furiously texting since he’d arrived.

“Hot date?” Joan asked him.

“Hardly.”

“It’s Zee,” Sadie said.

Mark’s fingers stilled for a perceptible second.

“I see,” Joan drawled.

“They keep bugging me about annoying crap,” Mark muttered.

Sadie met Joan’s eyes and mouthed, “Meeting up.”

“I saw that, Sades. It’s about talking about a plan.”

“Is that what it’s about?” Sadie teased.

Joan checked her phone. “I haven’t gotten anything about a meeting.”

“Y’know what’s strange? Mark never gets defensive when we talk about his other romantic escapades.”

“Because it’s not a romantic escapade,” he said.

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