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Sadie wandered around the lobby inside Superhero HQ, smiling to herself. Her girlfriend was a Superhero. They both had access—though limited—to this building. To this world. It was just wild.

Ward had brought her and Perry back from the press conference while the Supers met upstairs. She wasn’t checking SuperWatch or social media. Public opinion didn’t matter because she knew Spark and Ice were going to do great things now that they’d finally been given the chance to shine.

She giggled thinking about the gaggle of young women who’d decided Spark was hot. The second Joanie opened her mouth and that sexy, husky voice came out, folks got a taste of what had first attracted Sadie outside an elevator on a warm summer night.

She flopped into an armchair with cobalt-blue upholstery and chrome legs and reached for her mineral water on the floor.

Her upper arms and shoulders groaned in protest thanks to Joanie’s boxing lesson at the warehouse yesterday.

She could now somewhat throw a few different kinds of punches and knew how to properly balance and be light on her feet.

It was a cool, powerful feeling. She hadn’t expected to enjoy it so much.

Her phone bleeped with an incoming email. A reply from the bakery that had supplied Hot and Cold with its sourdough bread. Sad to lose that mutually beneficial partnership. Maybe she could sell their pastries at Sadie’s Café—if she ever got it off the ground.

She’d made a lot of good connections through the food truck. Friendships for sure with the four people entrusted with Joan and Mark’s secret. They’d been joking in texts about getting Spark and Ice to endorse their trucks.

Perry rejoined her after stepping away to take a phone call. He eased into the chair beside hers as Sadie read from the email. “The bakery got our final payment and wishes us the best. They said if we decide to reopen to let them know.”

“Maybe if you have food service at your coffeehouse,” Perry said.

“That was never really my intention. I’d still like to have food trucks park in front.”

He made a noncommittal hum. “That Knollwood Village property would have worked out well for you.”

Sadie sighed. “Yeah.”

“If it had a better landlord, would you have said yes?”

“Totally. I mean I would have freaked out and Joanie would’ve had to calm me down, but then I would’ve said yes.”

He looked at her, afternoon sunlight catching on his glasses. “Good news. The owners are highly motivated to sell the building.”

She turned to face him. “What do you mean?”

“They received a lucrative offer from an interested party on the condition the management company isn’t retained after the sale.”

Huh? “What does that mean?”

Perry’s lips twitched. “Gus wants to buy the building.”

“What? Why?”

“Because you want to open a café.”

Sadie’s heartbeat kicked up a notch. “I didn’t think Gus liked me.”

“She likes you fine. I told her about that lease addendum. She said it was, and I quote, ‘utter horseshit.’ She wants to support a woman-owned business. She knows how much this means to you.”

What was… What? Gus? Gus thought Sadie was Joan’s biggest weakness. She didn’t like her. She didn’t like anyone. “I don’t understand.”

“I said I was thinking about buying it.” Perry grinned. “Revenge and all.”

“Yes, your favorite, I know.”

“But I’m too involved with the café. Gus said she’d go ahead and buy it if it was the perfect location. She lived in the Village for a time, so she’s familiar with it.”

Sadie leaned over her chair’s arm. “I’m really not trying to… But like, really? Really really?”

“Really really,” Perry said.

“Is it financially doable and won’t put her in dire straits?”

“I’ve helped her invest her generous retirement package.”

“You’re good at stuff like that?”

He made a face. “I have an MBA. Why do you all keep forgetting that?”

“Oh, you never let us forget.”

So Gus was actually doing this for Perry. To be more involved in his life here in the city. Still, this was a good thing. Like, a really good thing. Like, Holy crap, Gus wants to buy the building so Sadie’s Café can be the tenant.

Perry gestured with his phone. “Should I make the call? It’s up to you.”

“For real?”

Irritation creased the skin between his brows. “Would I have brought it up if it wasn’t?”

“Perry!” Tears rushed to her eyes. She leapt from the chair and crushed him in a bear hug. “Oh my god. That would be so amazing. Please let me call her and thank her. Oh my god. Thank you. Thank you thank you thank you!”

She pulled back to grin at him and babble, “It’s going to be a safe place for everyone. The superpowered and the norms. And artists. Does she know I’m artistic? I’m gonna work really hard. I won’t let you down.”

“I’ve seen you in action,” Perry said. “You can do this.”

“ We can do this.” She held out her hand. “Partner.”

“I’m just an investor. You’re running it.” He shook her hand anyway.

“You’ll be as involved as you were with Hot and Cold. Please be as involved. I need you.”

Sadie squealed, twirling from the pure joy running through her veins. It was happening! Sadie’s Café where it belonged! Revenge did kind of feel good.

Time for me to be extraordinary.

She had to thank Gus. Make her a cute wreath or something. “I hope this means Gus will be around more.”

“Not really,” Perry said.

“She doesn’t have to hide anymore.”

“She likes the solitude. She does want to get to know Joan and Mark. And you, of course.”

“Anytime.” Her emotional tidal wave pushed her to hug him again. “I’m so glad you have her, and she has you. You make each other happy.”

Perry patted her back. “I’m at my hug limit, Sadie.”

“Sorry!” She straightened and grappled with her phone. “I have to tell my parents. And Nyah. This meeting better be over soon ’cause Joanie has to get her butt down here. I can’t wait to tell her. She’s gonna be ecstatic. Oh, wait—should we call Gus first?”

“I’ll take care of that. Make your calls.”

“Thank you, Perry. For everything you do for the people you care about.” She’d almost said the people you love , but that was too much mushy stuff for him for one day.

“You’re welcome,” he said.

She twirled again, then scurried toward the kitchen. There was a little hallway there where she could have the privacy to scream and cry. She’d call Nyah first to tell her the incredible news.

Shuffling and bumping came from that direction. Sadie stopped short as her overwhelmed brain registered two bodies. Mark and Zee. Making out like horny teenagers.

She hopped back, then peeked around the corner.

Mark backed Zee up and pressed them against the wall. Zee groaned. “Watch it. My ribs are still sore.”

“Aww,” Mark cooed. “Want me to kiss it and make it better?”

“We need to get back.”

“So the coffee run took a little longer than anticipated. Just giving Ward a break. He works too hard. The guy needs a vacation.”

Zee growled and mashed their lips on Mark’s. “Stop talking. You make this unbearable when you talk.”

“You love it,” Mark teased.

Sadie clamped a hand over her mouth to keep from howling with laughter.

They smooched a few more times before Zee pushed Mark away and tossed their straight black hair. “I’ll go first. Don’t forget your coffee.”

With super speed, Zee zipped through the kitchen. Mark adjusted his baby-blue oxford shirt. His wry smirk morphed into a genuine smile. Aww, too cute.

She waited until he cleared the kitchen before dissolving into a fit of giggles. Now she really couldn’t wait to talk to Joan. Life was full of surprises these days.