Joan loosened her arms, resting her hands on Sadie’s thighs.
“I worry about your safety, too. You fought against Supervillains without your protective bodysuit on. That scared the hell out of me. But it’s not going to stop me from wanting to be with you.”
“What if it puts you in harm’s way again?” Joan said. “I can’t pretend that someone won’t try to use you to get to me.”
“I came into this relationship eyes wide open. I know there’s inherent risk. But like, just living is risky. I could get electrocuted using my hairdryer, or?—”
“God, don’t say that.”
“Or some other freak accident could do me in.”
“You know what I mean.”
With a shrug, Sadie said, “I’m not dwelling on the worry that something could happen. Isn’t not dwelling your thing?”
“It’s more Mark’s thing,” Joan said.
“Well, be chill like your bother.”
“I’m just…” She made a face. “I’m not comfortable in any kind of spotlight. And I don’t know if the Supers want help beyond this. We’ve been using one another as a means to an end.”
“They haven’t turned on that power suppression thing in a few days. And from what I can tell, it’s been a collaborative effort.” Sadie’s mouth tilted in a smirk. “Even Darlene doesn’t want to fight you every time you open your mouth.”
“Only half the time now,” Joan quasi-joked.
“You’re always telling me not to sell myself short. Well, don’t sell yourself short. I believe in you.”
Her heart pulsed with relief. “Thank you. That means everything.”
Sadie tugged on Joan’s upper arms. “Come up here. I can’t believe you think I can’t have my café because of you. You’re the reason I’m going after it in the first place.”
Joan started to get up, then realized, “Oh shit, you don’t have a job. If we don’t reopen Hot and Cold, you’re unemployed.”
“Well, then I should really get on finding another location for my café.”
“I’m serious. I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t worry about that.”
“Of course I’m gonna worry.” Joan squeezed Sadie’s knees. “I unemployed you.”
“Smash unemployed me. And I can always pick up some shifts at Vector City Coffee.”
“No. I mean, of course you can if you want. But I’ll support you financially.”
Leaning down, Sadie said, “I’m a big girl. I can get a job. Besides, you pay for everything anyway. I have money saved.”
“That’s for the café.”
“And it’ll still be for the café. Now please get off the floor so I can snuggle you.”
Joan slumped beside her on the couch, drained but feeling better. “We’ll keep supporting one another’s dreams,” she said. “Always.”
“Always,” Sadie echoed, because she was the best.
“Jesus. I shouldn’t have taken advice, however well-intentioned, from someone who hangs out with Perry. But I think I get them now. They both have the false belief that they can’t have a normal or real relationship.”
“Maybe now that Perry is making amends, they could be more open.”
