Page 114 of Igniting Sparks

Leo nods, motioning to his car. “Sounds great. I’ll drive.”

Five minutes later, we’re seated at Flipped Buns, the local burger joint. We go through the usual pleasantries with the server and give our orders, but I know the man isn’t here on a social visit.

Time to get some answers.

Leaning my forearms on the table, I fix Leo with an expectant stare. “You wanted to talk, so let’s talk.”

I’m fairly certain he’s not planning to warn me off Mina, because that doesn’t seem to be his vibe. And besides, it would be laughable, considering I outweigh him by at least forty pounds of muscle.

Still, he’s piqued my curiosity.

Leo takes a sip of water and clears his throat. “You and I didn’t get to talk much that weekend.”

“Not really.”

“I’m part owner of a creative agency in Los Angeles. We handle the choreography for music videos, film sets, and the like.”

“Yeah, we saw a clip with you on the news the other night. Something about an award show.”

Interesting resume, but what exactly does this have to do with me?

“The Golden Globes. It’s a big deal.” Leo stretches his fingers across the table and sucks in a deep breath. “Look, I need you to know I’m not happy with Bitsy right now.”

“She has snooty condescension on lockdown, but she seems to love you. What happened?”

“She made the wrong damn choice—choosing Vanessa over Mina. It was based entirely on her ego and need for control, because Mina is a far superior dancer, and Bitsy knows it.”

Wait a second—what the fuck?

Leo’s words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I slump against the booth seat. “Bitsy didn’t give her the studio? Christ.”

No wonder Mina’s been distant the last few days.

But why didn’t she tell me?

Then it hits me.Maybe she blames me.

I know it’s not my fault, but her aunt made no secret of her disdain for me as Mina’s choice.

Leo seems to read my thoughts. “Look, this isn’t becauseof you. When Mina stood up for herself, her aunt saw it as a personal attack and decided to punish her for it. This is all on Bitsy.”

“Wish that made me feel better. Nothing like being hated for no reason.”

Leo nods and takes another drink of water. “I get it. Anytime I had a dance partner with a boyfriend, I became a threat—even when I had zero interest outside of the studio. And just so you know, I had no clue Bitsy wanted me to reconcile with Mina. I was as shocked as you were.”

I nod, chewing the inside of my cheek, my thoughts on my girl and her broken heart.

But there’s a light at the end of this tunnel—and now, it’s more than just a studio. It’s a reclamation of Mina’s power, stripped away by a petty tyrant of a woman.

“Well, maybe something better will come along.”

I gear up, ready to tell Leo about the studio.

Hell, maybe he can offer some last-minute input on the design.

This might work out perfectly. I can take us down there right after we eat.

“That’s what I’m thinking,” Leo says, accepting his food from the server with a smile. “There’s an opening at my agency, and I think Mina would be perfect for it. I didn’t bring it up that weekend because I felt certain Bitsy would choose Mina to take over the studio, but when I heard she hadn’t, I knew I could offer her something else. Something better, if I’m being honest.”