Page 131 of Igniting Sparks

Because she is.

Mina has shown me that home isn’t a place. It’s a person. And for me, it’s her.

When we part, Mina reaches up, gliding her thumb across my lip. “You always did like wearing my lip gloss.”

“What can I say? You have good taste.”

“I chose you, so I’d say my taste is impeccable.” Mina gestures around the studio, tears brimming in her eyes. “It’s so perfect, Braden. The ballet slipper door handles, the costumes, the lighting.”

“I wanted it to reflect you.”

“Well, I want a life that reflectsus.But that only works if you’re all in, too.”

I give her a teasing grin. “Look around you. What do you think?”

She bites her lower lip, her hands skating along my arms. “So, I’m not too late?”

I crush her to me, burying my nose in her hair and breathing in her scent. “Beautiful, you’re right on time.”

Epilogue: Flour, Frosting, and Forever

Braden

A few months later…

“Again? How many times per week are you baking cupcakes?” I arch a brow at Mina as she dusts flour from her face.

It’s a moot gesture, considering her outfit and every counter is also coated in the white stuff.

She’s lucky she’s so damn adorable.

“They love them.”

Laughter flies from my throat. “Of course they love them. They’re kids.”

She leans against the counter, a sly grin on her face. “You love kids. And you love me.”

She’s right on both counts.

I stroll over and cage her in my arms, not caring that I’m now also wearing a dusting of flour. “Is this your way of finagling me into helping with the cupcakes?”

She rises on tiptoe, grazing her lips against mine, her breath warm and sweet from sampling the wares. “Isit working?”

Mina already knows the answer. Of course, it is.

I love seeing her this happy. Mina’s taken the Sparkwood arts community by storm with her studio, The Rhythm Collective—a space that blends traditional dance with global movement, taught by resident artists from all walks of life.

It’s her dream come to life, and I’m walking that path right alongside her.

It doesn’t hurt that she’s already got a solid client roster and is set to outpace Bitsy and Vanessa’s studio.

The icing on the cake? Her aunt called Mina and asked if she might assist their move into the twenty-first century. Mina, always gracious, said she’d be happy to help… when the next blue moon rolls around.

Hey, she was nicer than I would have been.

Mina’s phone rings, and she glances at the screen. “It’s Leo. He’s probably calling about a shoot in the city. You’ll tag along with me, right?”

I shrug, my gaze intent on the cupcakes I’m frosting. “Maybe. Have to see if it’s worth my while.”