Page 25 of Secret Spark

“That should be important to everyone you work with.”

Joan pursed her lips. “My coworkers can be pretty self-absorbed. But he’s the worst.”

“He sounds like a jerk.”

“Definitely a jerk. Anyway, it all sounds way more interesting than it actually was. My job’s pretty boring.”

Sadie stepped over to the arnica gel on the counter. How awesome would it be to rub it into Joan’s shoulder? Okay, to get her hand inside Joan’s shirt? Welcoming heat exuded off her neighbor like the steam radiators in her last apartment, and she wanted to soak it in.

“Can I treat any other spots?” Sadie asked.

“Oh, no, I’m good.”

She nodded at the adhesive bandage. “What about your hand?”

“It’s just a scrape.”

“Scrapes need love, too.” Sadie handed the tube over. “Put it on before you go to bed.”

The bandage spanned Joan’s knuckles. They looked a little bruised, too. Like from punching something hard, such as a person’s face.

Her heartbeat stuttered.

Like the bruise on Joan’s face.

“It works well on minor burns, too,” Sadie said. “In case you have any from…anything.”

Joan’s eyes warmed to liquid amber. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

This wild theory about her being Catch was looking less and less wild. There were too many coincidences. Too many?—

“This is really nice of you,” Joan said.

“Just being neighborly,” Sadie said with a cheeky grin.

“Then I’m glad to have you as a neighbor.”

“I’m glad, too.”

“I owe you for taking care of me like this.”

Sadie tilted her head. “What do you have in mind?”

“Dinner?”

Yes, yes, YES!“Dinner would be lovely.”

“There’s a food truck festival in Friendship Park this weekend. I’ve been looking forward to going. I’d love to have you join me.”

“Sure. That sounds fun.”

“As a date, by the way,” Joan said. “It’d be a date.”

“I appreciate the clarification,” Sadie giggled.

A half-smile pulled Joan’s lips upward. “Hey, it can be hard to know if a woman’s interested in you.”

“I’m interested in you, Joan Malone.”

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