Page 89 of Igniting Sparks

He leads my aunt away, no doubt preparing for the earful she’s going to give him inside.

But I’m more concerned about what the gorgeous man in front of me is about to say.

“Do you hate me?” I finally manage, my voice small and uncertain.

Braden walks toward me, placing a finger under my chin and tipping my face up to meet his gaze. “I could never hate you. Not in a million years.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the dinner.” I motion to the restaurant, desperate to climb on the back of his bike and ride away into the night.

If he asks me to, I will.

He doesn’t.

“That’s not why I’m here, either.”

“Are you here to rescue me?”

Please say yes, and I’ll never doubt anything again.

But he shakes his head and breaks my heart. “You don’t need anyone to rescue you, Mina. You’re strong, smart, and your ideas for the dance studio are phenomenal. Now get inthere and tell them your proposal. Own it, because you are more than worthy.”

God, I love this man so much. Despite everything, he still shows up for me. No one has ever done that for me before.

I swipe a stray tear from my cheek. “Or I can say screw it and leave with you.”

“Nah, that’s not a good idea.”

And with that, my heart cracks a bit more. “Why not?”

“I’m not here to talk you out of your plan. I’m here to give you a much-needed pep talk and let you know I’m still your cheerleader, and I’ll be in your corner.”

“How are you so perfect?”

He offers a weak smile as he drags a hand through his hair. “I’m not, trust me. Earlier, I got angry about all this, but I realized I had no right. This was always the plan. This was the agreement.”

Shit, this is not going well.

“Braden, wait?—”

He places his fingers across my lips. “Hey, you better get inside. Don’t give Bitsy any more ammo tonight.”

I’m about to retort when his phone rings.

Braden answers, laughing at someone on the other end. “Jesus, give me a minute. I’ll be right there. Yeah, order me some food. Thanks.”

I fiddle with my purse. “Where are you going?”

Braden grabs his helmet. “Meeting some people at the bar. I need to blow off some steam. Now go and have a good time. You got this.”

I shift my weight from one foot to the other. Am I stalling? Of course, because I don’t want him riding off to some other woman’s arms, even if I deserve it. “Are you coming home tonight?”

He shoots me a strange look. “Where else would I go? Don’t wait up or anything. I’ll probably be late.”

Wonderful.

“And… it’s okay if I go there after dinner?”

Braden sighs, his gaze on the blinking stoplight. “You’re not moving out today, are you?”