Page 88 of Igniting Sparks

I pace her small office, the anger rising inside of me. “I know what an amazing man Braden is, and I appreciate everything he’s done for me. But it’s not that simple. The whole reason Braden and I pretended to be together in the first place was for me to secure the studio. Now, I’ll lose it if I don’t play Bitsy’s game. Ori, I dedicated my entire life to dance, and I don’t want to lose my only chance.”

So much for not crying.

Ori grabs a tissue and walks over, gently blotting my cheeks with a rueful smile. “I get that, too. But you blindsided Braden with this dinner. He told me what happened that weekend, how your aunt produced some photos of him with another woman, and he took the fall.”

I take the tissue and wipe my eyes. “She was awful to him. He told me to stay and smooth things over, but there was no way I could after she treated him.”

“Your aunt didn’t just treat Braden poorly. She’s treating you poorly, too, and you’re allowing it. The thing is, you deserve better than her conditional love and approval.”

“But that’s the way it is with Bitsy.” I raise my hands in resignation. “Everything in my world hasalwayscome with a list of qualifiers. All I want is to dance and be with Braden, and chances are, I’ll get neither.”

Ori pulls me into a hug. “I love you, and I want to see you happy. Just remember, those who truly love you will only ever want what’s best for you. No conditions are necessary. Now, dry your eyes and get to your dinner.”

But I have one more question to ask my best friend. “Does he hate me?”

Ori shakes her head. “No, he wants you to succeed. To be happy. He just realizes now that it won’t be with him.”

I can do this. I can do this.

What the fuck am I doing?

Bitsy and Leo pull up just as I do, and we share a stilted embrace before walking toward the restaurant.

But I grind to a halt when I spy a familiar figure leaning against his motorcycle.

Braden.

He watches me as I approach, his arms crossed over his chest, his face a sea of calm.

Good for him, because I’m a damn mess.

I clutch my bag to my chest as my heart threatens to explode. “Braden.”

“What areyoudoing here?” Bitsy hisses, not bothering to hide her disgust.

Braden smirks and rolls his eyes, clearly unbothered by my aunt’s question. “Last time I checked, this is a public street and that,” he nods toward the sidewalk, “is a public sidewalk.”

“You were not invited, Mr. Hammond.” My aunt sends a scathing glare toward his motorcycle. “Interesting mode of transportation.”

“Isn’t she a beauty? You should try riding sometime, Bitsy. Might do you some good.”

“Never in a million years would I be caught riding on that… thing.” She waves her hand toward it dismissively. “Come on, Leo, Mina. Don’t want to be late.”

Braden jerks his chin toward me. “Go ahead. She’ll be along in a minute.”

Bitsy grabs my elbow, fixing me with her stare. “Mina, tell him goodnight.”

“Christ, lady, I’m not kidnapping her. I’m going to speak to her for two minutes, and then I have plans of my own.”

“You do?” I ask, not sure I want to know where Braden is heading next.

Braden pushes off the bike with a lazy roll of his shoulders, like the entire night’s been one long joke. “Yeah. Pool, beers, hoodlum-type shit.”

Leo snickers, finally entering the conversation. “Sounds like a good time to me.”

“That’s the plan. Leo, give me a minute, okay?”

Leo nods. “No problem. See you inside, Mina.”