Page 41 of Igniting Sparks

“Don’t look so surprised. Anyway, good news, I’m off for the weekend, and I have two goals.”

She pauses, her tongs frozen in midair. “Dare I ask?”

“First is convincing your Aunt Bitsy how amazing I am. By the end of the weekend, she’s going to love me.”

Mina snorts at my comment. “I don’t think Aunt Bitsy lovesme, so don’t get your hopes up.”

“Stranger things have happened. Don’t you want to know what the other goal is?”

She clears her throat and rests her forearms on the glass counter. “I don’t know. Do I?”

“Ensuringyouhave the best time ever.”

Mina brushes a few imaginary crumbs from the counter before meeting my gaze. “I think you have a better chance with Aunt Bitsy.”

Ouch. That one stings—but I’m not giving up. Hey, at least she’s looking at me again. And unless I’m imagining things, there’s the faintest trace of a real smile.

It’s progress.

Mina glances at the clock and shrugs off her apron. “I have to go.”

“Where are you headed?” I ask, rocking back on my heels.

Am I stalling? Damn straight. I need to fix this situation with Mina, and fast. Bitsy is too wily to buy our relationship if we don’t lean hard into the whole true love angle.

Plus, I don’t want to leave just yet. I have an hour before my next appointment, and spending time with my ballerina girl seems like a perfect antidote to chase away the doldrums.

If she’ll let me.

A flush blooms across Mina’s cheeks. I swear, it gets more adorable every time.

And now Ireallywant to know where she’s headed.

“That good, huh?”

Mina waves me off and steps out from behind the coffee bar. “Not hardly. Aunt Bitsy made a few comments about me not wearing an engagement ring, so I’m going to the flea market to see if I can find something that will pass her inspection. Here’s hoping she doesn’t bring her jeweler’s loupe for fun.”

She pauses beside me, giving my arm an awkward little punch. “I appreciate you coming with me this weekend. It’ll be nice to have someone in my corner.”

From gentle kisses to a punch in the arm. Yep, we have some work to do.

I fall into step with her, noting how our strides align perfectly. “I have some time before my next client, so I’ll come with you.”

“Why?”

I shrug at her pointed tone, feeling my own cheeks redden under her direct gaze. “Isn’t it the groom’s job to pick out the ring? Come on, I’ll drive.”

I don’t give her a chance to argue as I loop an arm around her shoulder and steer her toward my truck.

And yes, I open the door for her. That’s what good guys do, even when she looks at me like I’ve sprouted a second head.

We drive along in silence, save for the rock song playing on the radio and Mina’s voice as she sings along.

“I didn’t know you were a fan of grunge,” I remark with a wink.

Mina shrugs, her gaze focused on the road. “Yeah, my mom listens to it.”

“Is that a jab at my age?”