Page 4 of Igniting Sparks

“I heard One More Page has an excellent selection of coffee, so we decided to drop by and sample the wares.”

“We?”

“You remember your cousin, Vanessa.” Bitsy gestures to the lithe redhead standing behind her.

“Of course.”

In truth, I barely know her outside of the dance world. She was also a pupil of my aunt’s school, although she lacked any genuine talent.

Didn’t stop her from being a menace to me the whole of those years.

I was the worst kind of insult—poor and naturally talented. A charity case who didn’t belong amongst the rich relics of Sparkwood.

Vanessa spent years commenting on every facet of my life—from my secondhand dance gear to my mother’s beat-up SUV.

I got even by winning every dance competition.

Safe to say we’re not friends.

But apparently, my cousin is now bosom buddies with my aunt, which doesn’t bode well for me.

See, Bitsy is as fake as a knockoff Rolex, but she skates by on the Farnsworth name and her ridiculously deep pockets.

I doubt anyone really likes her, but they love her checkbook. They also love what she can do for them.

So, if Vanessa is buddying up to Bitsy, that means she’s eying the dance studio, too.

Fuckity fuck.

I motion to a couple of empty chairs and hand them a menu.

Vanessa’s eyes narrow. “You work here? How quaint.”

“Do you want something or not?” I snap, planting my hands on my hips.

“I’ll take a cappuccino, please. Aunt Bitsy, would you like the same or do you prefer something decaffeinated?”

Bitsy pats Vanessa’s hand. “Always looking out for me. I appreciate that.”

That’s it. I’m poisoning their damn drinks. Ori will have to understand. This is a matter of life or sanity.

Mysanity.

“I didn’t realize you two were close.” Am I digging? Of course. Best to know what I’m up against now.

“Aunt Bitsy and I just got back from a lovely weekend in the city. We attended the ballet and then I told her some of my plans for the studio.”

The blood rushes from my face at her statement.

“I thought you wantedmeto take over the studio.” My words emerge forceful and harried, a flash of anger surging through me. “Vanessa barely finished six years of dancing. She’s not qualified.”

Nothing like diving headfirst into the abyss.

Ori catches my gaze and mouths, “I’m over here if you need me,” before she and Ash beat a hasty retreat.

Can’t say I blame them since I’m about five seconds away from a meltdown.

Bitsy quirks a brow at me, none too happy at my outburst. “I’m keeping my options open, Mina. You’re still in the running, but you are aware of my requirements.”