Page 69 of Secret Spark

Sadie’s expression softened. “It makes you uncomfortable to talk about this, doesn’t it? That’s a whole other world, and I get the feeling you don’t like your worlds to intertwine.”

The words lodged in Joan’s throat.I’m not Catch. I’m a big-ass liar.

“It’s okay. Really. We can stick to talking about the world I’m in. I’ll stop embarrassing you.”

“You’re not. It’s just… I’m not who you think I am.”

“You think I’ve built you up in my head all these years,” Sadie said.

“No, you see the Supers how most people see them.”

“Your concern’s not unwarranted. I tend to leap headfirst into relationships. One of us should be cautious.”

“Don’t put this on you,” Joan said.

“Let’s do this right. Or at least try to do it right. Foodie Joan and barista Sadie, hanging out and eating a lot of really good food.”

She brushed her fingertips down Sadie’s cheek. “That’s exactly what I want,” Joan murmured.

Sadie had given her the perfect out. Not talking about Supers? Done. Focusing on what was brewing between them? Done and done.

Now would be a great time for an interruption. Another neighbor, or an elevator arriving. Or a text. Anything so Joan wouldn’t feel so damn guilty.

The seconds ticked by.

Sadie laced their fingers together. “I also hope to do other things,” she said.

“Adult things?” Joan said.

“Mm-hmm.”

“Yes, please.”

A beautiful, wide smile graced Sadie’s face, and goddamn, Joan couldn’t do it. She was a shit. She was a giant pile of shit.

The only way out of this was to get out of villainy. She could come clean after the fact.

Sadie squeezed her hand, then tugged her toward the elevators. Joan blew out a shaky breath. To be fair, shehadtried to tell her. Had actually said the wordsI’m not who you think I am.Sadie could have asked for an explanation.

At this point, she wasn’t even sure Sadie would believe her. She was so hung up on all things Catch, she’d probably view it as Joan just being modest. Or protecting the Supers the way she protected Mark. It was kind of impressive how Sadie had such a one-track mind.

Sadie’s phone trilled with a different text tone than before. She pulled it out of her back pocket. “It’s work. Jeez, sorry for all the interruptions today.”

“It’s okay.”

“Tomorrow, can we silence our phones and not look at them?” She glanced up with intent. “I want to focus on you and me.”

“You and me,” Joan echoed.

She could absolutely focus on just the two of them.

CHAPTER13

Warmth from Joan’s body and the hot frothy milk seeped into Sadie’s core. Her kitchen had felt small before, but never this intimate. She slid her palm across Joan’s lower back and watched her try to pour another milky heart on top of the espresso.

Joan laughed and gave a little cry of frustration as she dragged a crooked line down the center of the foam. “Ahh, I’m so bad at this.”

“You’re doing well,” Sadie said, rubbing her back. “It takes practice.”

---