Page 28

They stepped into the bright midday sun. Joan and Mark slid their sunglasses on.

Perry raised an eyebrow.

“It’s not the same,” Mark said.

“It’s sunny,” Joan added, though touché, Péricles .

As they walked through the alley, Mark said, “So how did you two patch things up?”

“Slowly,” Perry said. “It took a long time to make peace with what happened.”

“I’m sure,” Joan said.

“Were you surprised when she reached out to you?” Mark asked.

One corner of Per’s mouth curled up. “Very.”

“Considering how we left things before,” Gus said. “What with you blowing me off a roof and all.”

Joan and Mark paused. “He did what?” Joan said.

Perry shook his head. “It’s not as bad as it sounds.”

“You blew me off the roof of a five-story apartment building. How is that not bad?” Gus looked more amused than upset.

“It’s not like it was going to injure you.”

“Slamming into concrete after a long fall does not feel good.”

Mark clutched Joan’s arm, thrilled at getting to watch the fireworks.

Perry turned to them. “She came over to explain that she regretted how things went down. I was on the rooftop patio of where I lived at the time. The conversation turned somewhat heated.”

“And whoosh !” Gus swept her arms wide. “Down she goes.”

“I vaguely recall it was something to the effect of really showing her my powers.”

“I very much recall you said exactly that.”

This was the Perry they rarely saw. Happy and joking. They were kind of cute together.

So weird. Like when your divorced dad starts dating after years of singlehood.

Mark was more interested in the after, but Joan wondered about the before. “What did Per do that got him on your radar in the first place?”

“He never told you?” Gus raised her eyebrows at him.

“He said it was nothing.”

Gus tilted her head like she was surprised. “A tiny child stepped into a busy street. He blew him back onto the sidewalk before an oncoming city bus hit him.”

“You saved a kid’s life?” Mark said.

Perry made a vague shrug. “I wasn’t always a Villain.”

“Perry has always been a good man,” said Gus. “A bit grumpy, but he has a good heart.”

Did…was…Perry actually blushing?

They started walking again. A memory of running into traffic to scoop up that little white dog in front of Sadie came to mind. Doing something heroic even as a bad guy.

The apple didn’t fall far from the tree, no matter how twisted the tree appeared on the outside.

Speaking of Sadie… Joan checked her phone. The love of her life had sent a text.

Still on hold with the insurance company but canceled pending orders. Hope it’s going well over there. Love you

She grinned as her heart warmed, but then it faded. What was she supposed to do about this situation?

They rounded the corner and headed along the side of the building. Gus fell in step with her as Mark harassed Perry for blowing her off a rooftop. “A message from your girlfriend?” she said.

“Yeah. Sadie’s dealing with things for our no longer operational food truck.”

“You really care for her.”

Joan smiled again. “I really do. We’d still love to have you over for dinner.”

“It’s unfortunate you won’t be able to have a lasting relationship with her. Or with anyone. Not in this line of business.”

That was a rather shitty thing to say. “Why?”

“It’s impossible,” Gus said. “You’ll always worry about her safety. She’s already been put in harm’s way because of your connection to this world. If you continue down this path, it will only lead to heartache.”

“Mark and I are going to reopen our food truck,” Joan deflected.

Gus didn’t buy it from the way she smirked.

“I’ve followed everything you and your brother have done for many years.

It’s clear you always wanted more for yourself.

” She waved up at the building. “I see it in those meetings, how you step up. You’re a natural leader. You would make a good Superhero.”

“But, I mean…” Joan’s pulse roared in her ears.

“But you would lose your girlfriend.”

“I don’t think I would. Sadie’s been involved. Really involved.”

They hit the sidewalk and headed left on Leyton Avenue. Gus shoved her hands in her jacket pockets and slouched. Becoming invisible. “Have you noticed most Superheroes can only maintain a passing fancy with each other? They turn to one another for comfort because that’s what they can handle.”

Like Flight and Aura. Like Catch and Lunk. Even—ugh, like Spark and Prowl. “This is different,” Joan said. “Sadie’s different. She’s known I have superpowers the whole time.”

“That doesn’t negate how difficult it is in the long run.” Gus cast her a quick glance. “Forgive my being so honest. She’s a nice girl, and she cares deeply for you. But I’ve been around long enough to know it never works.”

Joan’s heart pounded erratically. Now she knew how Darlene felt to be so let down.

No, fuck that. Gus was just some crabby old lady.

What did she know about the strength of Joan’s connection with Sadie?

What did she know about healthy relationships?

She was in a secret one, hiding from the world, not talking to any Supers for decades.

Sadie was gonna learn a few basic moves to protect herself.

She was the best person Joan knew and could handle it.

Her hands curled into fists. Gus was wrong. Totally, totally wrong.

Then why did it feel so horrible?