Page 90 of Igniting Sparks

I hadn’t wanted to move out at all but seems that option is no longer on the table.

I stare at the ground and shake my head.

“Then I’ll see you at the farm. Be safe.”

“You, too.” I suck in a breath. “Braden?”

He pivots, those emerald eyes on me. “Yeah?”

My eyes brim with tears, my entire body trembling. “I’m so sorry.”

He marinates on my apology for a few seconds before nodding. “Me too.”

He gets on his motorcycle, and with a final wave, rides off down the street.

No hug. No kiss.

None of the affection I’ve grown to love from Braden Hammond.

I stand, rooted to the spot as he turns the corner out of sight and realize that I’ve lost him.

I’ve lost the most important thing in my life… by foolishly believing it wasn’t.

Chapter 20

Checkmate, Bitch

Mina

Leo waves from a table at the far end of the restaurant.

With a steadying breath, I cross the room and drop into an empty chair. How in the world am I going to manage small talk when all I want to do is break down and sob?

Turns out, I don’t have to worry about chitchat because Aunt Bitsy is still on the warpath. Her mark? Braden Hammond.

“I hope we’ve seen the last of that man. I don’t want him near you, Mina.”

Bitsy repositions her silverware, moving the knife a millimeter closer to the edge, and I realize she does this with everything. She’s always trying to fix things, as if nothing is good enough on its own merit. She does this with people, too. Adjusts and nudges until they fit her design.

What an exhausting lifestyle.

“Don’t think that’ll be a problem,” I mutter, burying my head in my hand.

“Mina,” Bitsy hisses. “Elbows off the table.”

With a grunt, I straighten and pull my hands into my lap.

I clench my thighs together beneath the table, anything to keep from snapping back at her.

It’s all about appearances, all the time. Doesn’t matter if I’m miserable, so long as the outside world never suspects.

“I ordered you a glass of wine,” Leo interjects, no doubt trying to direct the conversation onto smooth waters. “You still enjoy a good cabernet, right?”

Perfect. Liquid courage for a performance I didn’t sign up for.

I force a smile and nod. “Thank you.”

Leo rests his forearms on the table, pressing his fingers together in a steeple. “Your aunt and I have discussed your dancing at length over the last week or so. She didn’t know you were chosen for the elite choreography track.”