Page 20 of Igniting Sparks

“Look out for her, okay? No matter how tough Mina acts, she’s the most sensitive soul. She’s been hurt enough by people who were supposed to love her.”

“You both have.”

Therese’s eyes fill with tears. “See? I knew you’d get it.”

“Is everything okay in here?” Mina asks as she climbs into the trailer, a look of concern crossing her face when she sees her mom.

“Everything is perfect,” Therese says, wiping her cheeks. “You’ve got a great guy here, Mina. Take care of each other.”

Therese walks off, but Mina’s gaze tracks her into the house before turning to me. “Is she okay?”

“She’s worried about you. About moving so far away from you.”

Mina sighs, running a hand over her brow. “I know she is, but I’m going to be fine. I’ll be with you, and that makes me feel safe.”

She tears her gaze to the far wall, but I see the pink in her cheeks. Hard to know if it’s because of the exertion or her admission, but I’m going with the latter.

Her mom is entrusting me with her daughter and that’s no small ask. Even though we’re living together as friends and the engagement is a temporary solution to Mina’s problem, the lines are blurring.

I’m not sure how much longer I can maintain this neutral façade without cracking.

Chapter 5

The Walk That Wrecked Me

Braden

“I’m heading out for a walk. Want to come along?”

Mina claps her hands together with girlish glee as she pops out of her chair.

We’ve been playing house for three days and all I can say is that I’ve behaved myself. I’ve also jerked off more than a hundred times, but we’re not discussing that right now.

Outwardly, I’m a complete gentleman.

Plus, to be fair, it was a flurry of activity for the first couple of days. Mina, despite her claims otherwise, has a shit ton of clothes and shoes, which are now living in three of the five spare closets in the house.

But I’m not complaining. Mina is bright, sunny, and absolute aces in the roommate department. She’s also a neat freak, so my house is cleaner than ever before. I think we could eat off the floor, although I’m not testing that theory.

And she’s adorable about it, too. I caught a glimpse of her as she dusted the living room, her blonde ponytail bobbing as she bopped around, singing along to whatever pop song was playing on the radio.

Let’s just say Ash was never that cute when he cleaned.

“Give me five minutes to change,” Mina says before dashing up the stairs.

“I’ll be outside.” I fully expect her to take a half hour to prep for this walk, so imagine my surprise when she bounds out the door a few minutes later, water bottle in hand.

“All set.”

“Already? That was fast.”

Mina snorts, taking a pull from her bottle. “It’s a hike, not a ball. Besides, I can’t look good all the time. I’m allowed to look like a hot mess occasionally.”

That’s the thing. Shealwayslooks good. Yes, she has youth on her side, but she’s simply stunning without trying, which is likely why a lot of women in town choose to hate her instead of knowing her.

Might have something to do with the fact that every guy in town lusts after her, too. Although now, they’ll have to deal with me.

Hey, Therese asked me to protect her only daughter, and that’s what I’m doing.