Page 113 of Igniting Sparks

I blink back tears as I watch my former partner field questions about the show with grace and poise. He looks like he belongs there, amidst the glitter and paparazzi.

“That should have been me.” The words slip out before I have time to rein them in, and my eyes dart to where Braden sits, a strange expression on his face.

He doesn’t reply to my statement, and I’m not sure if he heard me or not. But he knows something is off. He’s too insightful not to pick up on my somber mood.

Still, he doesn’t push, as if sensing I’m not ready to talk.

I walk over to him and take the beer from his hand, setting it on the coffee table.

“Make me forget all the bad times,” I murmur, grasping his hands and pulling him to his feet.

He cups my face, his touch a gentle balm against the pain. “Do you want to talk about it?”

I shake my head. “Just love me.”

He scoops me into his arms, and I rest my head against his chest. “That I will always do.”

Chapter 24

Bigger Than Sparkwood

Braden

One thing I know for certain—I don’t know adamnthing about the dance industry.

Luckily for me, Kiki and Eddie have a few dance pros on speed dial, because I can’t shower Mina with a million technical questions about studio layouts or the woman will see right through me.

Online DIY videos worked fine for her in-home setup, but this needs to be professional grade.

For Mina, it needs to be perfect.

It’s coming along great. In fact, it feels almost too easy, so I keep waiting for a phone call from Eddie about a major design hiccup, but it never comes. Maybe when something is meant to be, the universe aligns to make it happen—or some such shit.

Anyway, I’m proud of the space and excited to show it to Mina once it’s completed. Just another couple of weeks before it will be showroom-ready, and she can decide what to do with the studio—whatever makes her heart happy.

Mina won’t have to live by anyone’s rules or expectations ever again.

She can be her own woman, something I know she’s never experienced before.

I’m just thrilled to be able to give her that, and I hope she loves it as much as I love her.

I spot Leo getting out of his sports car as I exit Black Lotus on my way to lunch.

Huh. That’s odd. Wonder what he’s doing here.

Still, I don’t tend to let jealousy fester. Leo and Mina have a shared history, and although they slept together, I know from Mina’s own disclosure that it was borderline pitiful.

In his defense, all guys are terrible the first time out of the gate. No doubt he’s improved over the years—not that I’m giving him a chance to replay that event with my woman. Besides, I’m pretty damn sure I keep Mina satisfied, if her exuberance over all positions and places is anything to go by.

Let’s just say we’ve tested out all the surfaces in the farmhouse. And the greenhouse. And the barn. The list goes on.

Suffice it to say, after several marathon sessions, I think we rid the farm of any bad sexual juju.

I jerk my chin at Leo in greeting. “What’s up? Mina isn’t working today.”

“Actually, I came to speak with you.” Leo lightly drums on the roof of his car. “Do you have a few minutes?”

“I was grabbing some lunch. Want to join me?”