Page 83 of Igniting Sparks

In fact, I’m hard just imagining it.

“Uh… where’s the rest of it?” I smirk, inspecting the string bikini.

Mina snatches it from my hands. “Fine. You don’t like my bikini? I have a different idea.”

“What’s that?”

She zips her suitcase closed and winks. “I won’t wear it at the hot springs.”

My jaw slackens at her intimation. “Meaning?”

Mina leans over, giving me a lingering kiss. “Meaning you’ll have to find out. I’ve heard skinny-dipping is way more fun.”

“You think I’m letting you skinny dip alone?”

“No. I don’t. Which is why you’ll be joining me.”

That sounds like the best damn way to spend the afternoon—me, Mina, warm water, and nothing between us.

But the worries linger in my brain, simmering like soup left on the burner too long.

And I have to ask—give her one final out before I allow myself to fall completely in love with her. “Mina?”

She turns, a curious expression on her face. “What?”

“Are you certain leaving is the best idea for you? Your aunt loves Leo, and?—”

“Yeah, well, I don’t.” Mina grabs her purse and extends her hand to me. “Someone else is in the running for that.”

And at that moment, I believe her. Every word.

Just like that, I know—my heart’s already hers.

The next two weeks are quiet.Tooquiet.

I’ve asked Mina a few times about Bitsy, but she just waves it off, totally nonchalant about the whole thing.

And for some reason, that’s not sitting right with me. Mainly because I worry I messed up her chance of owning the dance studio—even if her aunt is a deranged harpy.

It’s like having a client who wants a tattoo—say, a bird of prey. You sketch it out and they love it, but when you lay down the ink, it doesn’t look right.

Doesn’t suit them. It’s not that the technique is off or that it’s not a solid piece. It just doesn’t fit.

That’s how it is with me and Mina’s aunt. She couldn’t care less that I’m a good guy with the best intentions for Mina. I don’t fit in their world.

And if Mina takes over her studio, I’m not sure I’ll ever have a place.

This is a tight spot for me because, despite knowing how judgmental people can be, I’ve never really been on the receiving end of that backlash.

Maybe it’s because I’m not flashy despite my ink andmotorcycle, and when people sit down and talk with me, they realize my personality is far more important than my fashion choices.

So what if I prefer boots and jeans to khakis? Doesn’t make me less of a person. Sadly, Mina’s aunt doesn’t see it that way. Neither does her cousin. Or Leo.

Yep, he’s another one. He hasn’t said or done anything specific, but I know why he was at the resort that weekend—as a foil to Mina and me.

And I can’t help but wonder if Mina has truly removed them from her life or if she’s just choosing not to tell me about it.

But despite the uncertainty in that area, everything else is perfect. Mina and I have spent a glorious two weeks together.