“Perry!” Tears rushed to her eyes. She leapt from the chair and crushed him in a bear hug. “Oh my god. That would be so amazing. Please let me call her and thank her. Oh my god. Thank you. Thank you thank you thank you!”
She pulled back to grin at him and babble, “It’s going to be a safe place for everyone. The superpowered and the norms. And artists. Does she know I’m artistic? I’m gonna work really hard. I won’t let you down.”
“I’ve seen you in action,” Perry said. “You can do this.”
“Wecan do this.” She held out her hand. “Partner.”
“I’m just an investor. You’re running it.” He shook her hand anyway.
“You’ll be as involved as you were with Hot and Cold. Please be as involved. I need you.”
Sadie squealed, twirling from the pure joy running through her veins. It was happening! Sadie’s Café where it belonged! Revenge did kind of feel good.
Time for me to be extraordinary.
She had to thank Gus. Make her a cute wreath or something. “I hope this means Gus will be around more.”
“Not really,” Perry said.
“She doesn’t have to hide anymore.”
“She likes the solitude. She does want to get to know Joan and Mark. And you, of course.”
“Anytime.” Her emotional tidal wave pushed her to hug him again. “I’m so glad you have her, and she has you. You make each other happy.”
Perry patted her back. “I’m at my hug limit, Sadie.”
“Sorry!” She straightened and grappled with her phone. “I have to tell my parents. And Nyah. This meeting better be over soon ’cause Joanie has to get her butt down here. I can’t wait to tell her. She’s gonna be ecstatic. Oh, wait—should we call Gus first?”
“I’ll take care of that. Make your calls.”
“Thank you, Perry. For everything you do for the people you care about.” She’d almost saidthe people you love, but that was too much mushy stuff for him for one day.
“You’re welcome,” he said.
She twirled again, then scurried toward the kitchen. There was a little hallway there where she could have the privacy to scream and cry. She’d call Nyah first to tell her the incredible news.
Shuffling and bumping came from that direction. Sadie stopped short as her overwhelmed brain registered two bodies. Mark and Zee. Making out like horny teenagers.
She hopped back, then peeked around the corner.
Mark backed Zee up and pressed them against the wall. Zee groaned. “Watch it. My ribs are still sore.”
“Aww,” Mark cooed. “Want me to kiss it and make it better?”
“We need to get back.”
“So the coffee run took a little longer than anticipated. Just giving Ward a break. He works too hard. The guy needs a vacation.”
Zee growled and mashed their lips on Mark’s. “Stop talking. You make this unbearable when you talk.”
“You love it,” Mark teased.
Sadie clamped a hand over her mouth to keep from howling with laughter.
They smooched a few more times before Zee pushed Mark away and tossed their straight black hair. “I’ll go first. Don’t forget your coffee.”
With super speed, Zee zipped through the kitchen. Mark adjusted his baby-blue oxford shirt. His wry smirk morphed into a genuine smile. Aww, too cute.
