Page 86

“Because you’re one of the good bad guys,” Sadie chortled.

“I know it’s hard to believe, but yes. We’re trying to stop him and those who think like him. Then I’m leaving all that behind.”

“You’re hanging up your Spark wig?”

“Yes.”

She studied Joan’s earnest expression. She seemed sincere. Joan always seemed sincere. But that was Catch Joan, not Supervillain Spark Joan.

“If you had told me the truth,” Sadie thought aloud, “or even warned me to expect…well, I don’t know what. Maybe it wouldn’t be…”

“Would you have wanted to be with me if you knew I was Spark?” Joan gestured at the wide distance between them as if to punctuate that fact.

“I don’t know,” Sadie said again.

“You really wanted me to be a Superhero.” Her tone was filled with sadness.

“Joan, I’m not even that upset that you’re not Catch. I’m mad that you lied to me. You led me to believe you were someone you’re not.”

“I want to make this right,” Joan said. “I know I betrayed your trust, but I’m still the same person.”

Sadie scoffed at that. “I don’t even know you.”

“Yes, you do. I’m still me. I’m still the Joanie who loves cooking for you. Who wants to open a food truck with Mark.”

Joan started toward the couch, making Sadie stiffen. She seemed to pick up on that and stopped.

“You got to know the real me. Youknowthe real me.” A shadow crossed over her face. “Shit. You said you felt safe with me. Now you’re scared to let me near you.”

“I’m freaked out,” Sadie told her. “I wasn’t expecting you to turn into a furnace.”

“I would never hurt you.” Joan placed both hands on her chest. “I swear.”

Her intense earnestness hurt worse than any lie. “But you did. Not physically. I really trusted you.”

“I’m sorry.”

The tears returned in full force, strong enough for Sadie to sniffle them back. “I’d like you to leave,” she said.

“Can we please talk some more? I can explain?—”

“You’ve done enough explaining. And if it’s because you’re worried I’ll expose you, I won’t.” She waved her hands. “I’d rather forget this ever happened.”

A tear slid down Joan’s cheek, which quickly fizzled and evaporated.

Sadie’s heart ached for her. For what they could’ve had if…

She met Joan’s eyes and wordlessly communicated her thoughts.

What we could’ve had if you weren’t Spark.

“Okay,” Joan whispered, then cleared her throat. Another tear slipped out and sizzled. “I respect what you want. If you do want to talk?—”

“I have nothing more to say to you,” Sadie said, which wasn’t true at all. She had so many questions. So much she wanted to know. But what good would it do? Joan wasn’t who she’d said she was. Even if she hadn’t said the words, she’d led Sadie to believe a lie. Like a true Villain.

Joan simply nodded. She turned and headed for the door.

She paused with her hand on the doorknob. “I wish I could be the good person you thought I was,” she murmured.