Chapter 3
CHAPTER 3
Sadie held the glass door open for her coworkers. Amit and Nyah passed through the front entrance. They all preferred it over walking through the alley behind Vector City Coffee at ten-thirty at night.
She tugged on the door to make sure it was locked. Then she joined Amit and Nyah on the sidewalk. “Hump Day done,” she said, taking her hair out of its ponytail.
Amit grimaced at the still boarded-up window. Work on Allegria Tower was tying up a lot of resources and manpower. The top corner had been taken out by Breeze and Flight a month or two back. A bit ironic, since the building housed the corporate headquarters for Allegria Insurance.
“It’ll get fixed,” Nyah said. She zipped up her carnation-pink hoodie. The bright color made her rich brown skin glow in the streetlight.
“And we have the money to fix it,” Sadie said.
Amit snorted. “Guilt money.”
“Who cares?” Nyah checked her phone. “Mysterious money shows up in our bank account with a note saying ‘For the window.’ Probably from Lunk. He paid for what he broke.”
“I don’t care who it’s from. It’s the bare minimum for what they should be doing.”
“I’m sure Lunk feels bad for what happened,” Sadie said.
How thoughtful of him to help pay for repairs. She didn’t expect Lunk to take credit or make a big deal out of it. The Supers enjoyed a good photo op, but this blunder wasn’t something they would want to draw attention to.
Amit typed a quick text, then tucked his phone in his jeans pocket. “Get home safely,” he said.
Sadie thanked him while Nyah said, “Enjoy your day off. Let me know if you figure out how to get out of the abandoned factory.”
Her coworkers moaned about their latest videogame obsession and where they’d both gotten stuck. Sadie stooped to retie the lace on her white canvas sneaker.
“Let me know if the repair company calls,” Amit said.
“We will,” Sadie said.
He headed to the right. Sadie fell in step with Nyah in the opposite direction. There was never much traffic—foot or car—in the business district at this time of night. The quiet city glow was one of her favorite things about living here. Being out and about while the rest of Vector City was tucked inside.
“I hope the window does get fixed this week,” Sadie said. “Then I can tell my mom it’s been taken care of.”
“Is she still being paranoid about your unsafe work environment?” Nyah asked.
“Oh yeah. She’s called every day.”
“Yeesh.”
“I guess I can’t blame her. It’s a bit ridiculous for us to have had so many incidents.”
Ny slid her thick elastic headband down around her neck. She patted at her two curly high puffs. “My mom thinks I should move back to Oceanview because it’s safer there.”
“My mom thinks living in any city is a dangerous gamble. If it’s not incidental damage, it’s all the crime .” Sadie widened her eyes the way her mom did when she acted like bad things didn’t happen in small towns or the suburbs.
A familiar whoosh echoed in the sky. Flight had been watching the area more lately. Probably from the recent bank break-in.
“Speaking of.” Sadie pointed up.
Flight zoomed over a few low rooftops, his bright red cape flapping behind him. He studied the ground for any signs of trouble.
“Big help he is now,” Nyah muttered. “A few days ago would’ve been nice.”
“The Supers can’t be everywhere,” Sadie said.
“The Villains aren’t fools. They’ll avoid this area. It’s pointless to patrol here.”
“I don’t mind. It makes me feel safe.”
Nyah studied her, a smirk playing about her lips. “You are so loyal to them. Like the Supers can do no wrong.”
“I can’t help it,” Sadie said. “Ever since I saw Race and Catch save that school bus full of children. It was stuck on the train tracks. Catch stopped the train with her bare hands.” She stretched out her arms to demonstrate. “Literally slowed it to a crawl.”
“And then Race pushed the bus off the tracks in the nick of time,” Ny said. Then she grinned. “You love to tell this story.”
“So? It was frightening and amazing to watch.”
“And is the reason you have a marginally unhealthy obsession with Catch.”
Warmth seeped into Sadie’s cheeks, but she didn’t care. “Catch is the best.”
“Nah. Give me Lunk and all that weight pressing down on me.” Nyah gestured at her voluptuous figure. “He could handle all this.”
“He’d be lucky to handle all that.”
“Damn right.”
Sadie’s phone buzzed a couple of times in her back pocket. Maybe the SuperWatch app with new Hero or Villain sightings.
Nope. Her stomach clenched at three texts from Ferret Guy.
Hey I know its last minute but can u watch my babies for a week or two
Tomoro
Prob not longer than two weeks
“Unbelievable,” Sadie muttered.
“What?”
She showed Nyah the texts. “Remember the guy who asked me to pet-sit his three ferrets for a week and it ended up being a month? While he went on vacation with another woman right after we stopped seeing each other?”
“The ferrets who shit all over your apartment?”
“And got into literally everything .”
“Oh hell no.” Nyah shook her head.
“Yeah, hard no.” Sadie swiped on her screen. “Delete.”
“Don’t give in when he asks again. Which he will.”
“Uh, considering he still owes me for the carpet cleaning he was ‘totally gonna pay for’?” She jammed her phone in her pocket. “I know I’m a pushover, but I don’t forget easily. Especially when I have to shell out money I don’t really have for something like that.”
He’d fooled her once with buttering her up about watching the ferrets that were admittedly cute. When he’d posted photos on the beach with some tall brunette hottie for a month and then conveniently never returned texts about paying for the carpet cleaning, it was shame on Sadie.
Ugh. Why did people have to suck?
Flight circled overhead, then continued east toward the river. “You know what would be a great superpower to have?” Sadie mused. “The ability to tell when someone’s lying.”
“That’d be a blessing and a curse,” Nyah said.
“The positives would totally outweigh the negatives. It’d save a lot of time and energy if I could weed out the liars.”
“That’s the superpower you’d want the most?”
“I think so. Flying looks pretty cool, though.”
Ny pulled her hood over her head and held it against her cheeks. “I’d want invisibility. I could creep around, play tricks on people, listen in on everyone’s conversations.”
“You want to be Hide?” Sadie made a face.
“I wouldn’t go full Supervillain. Just sneak up on people for fun.”
“I bet he sneaks up on everyone.”
Nyah looked around, then raised her eyebrows. “Maybe he’s here right now.”
“Stop,” Sadie said, and shivered. “That’s scary to think about.”
“It’s probably another blessing and a curse. I’d learn shit I don’t want to know.”
“True.”
A plump young white guy in glasses chugged past them, looking up and down from his phone. Kind of a strange thing to be doing in dress clothes, but to each their own.
They reached the bus stop where Nyah would catch her ride home. “Don’t stay up too late trying to get out of the factory,” Sadie teased.
“You know I will,” Ny said.
They laughed and waved goodbye. Sadie hastened her steps, settling into her Single Woman at Night pace. Not because she felt unsafe. Flight was nearby, or could be if she needed him. It was just the reality of being a woman.
She passed one of the old buildings original to Vector City, its cornerstone stating its completion in 1903. About the same time people with unusual abilities began to be reported across the globe. Many theories had been posed as to why, but the overall consensus was some humans had simply evolved. Sadie supposed this was why a lot of people distrusted the superpowered. Not all human beings had evolved to embrace differences rather than fear them.
The storefront that used to be a mattress store was still available for lease. It wasn’t the right fit for a café. At least not her dream café. The location was okay, but she didn’t get a Yes! vibe from it. It didn’t feel like the right time, anyway. She didn’t have enough money saved up.
Her phone buzzed again. Another text from Ferret Guy.
Ill pay you ok?
Ugh. She didn’t need money that badly. Was it any wonder why someone would be more into Superheroes than regular joes? They saved busloads of kids and upheld truth and honesty and made her feel protected. People like Ferret Guy…did not.
She had to reply, if only to get him off her back. She typed Will you also pay me the money you promised last time , but deleted it. That made it sound like she’d be up for it. Better to be more direct, less wishy-washy.
Sorry, not available.
She almost added something like Good luck finding someone or Have a good vacation . “Don’t do it,” she told herself. Saying sorry was bad enough, but she didn’t want to be mean. Even though she had a right to.
She sent the text and put her phone on Do Not Disturb before he wore her down. She’d ignore any more texts from him. Should probably delete his number, only seeing Ferret Guy reminded her that she’d changed his contact name to remember what he’d done. And similar things others had done.
A pizza delivery guy held the door for her as he exited her building. They shared a hello.
Sadie paused at the alcove of mailboxes. Might as well check, even though hers would probably be empty. Who knows? Maybe her hot new neighbor would be around.
Her heartbeat tapped in double-time as she glanced at the mailbox for apartment 714. Joan Malone .
Joan Malone sounded like a character from a classic detective movie. Though she looked like anything but. Sadie’s style fit the bill more, with her love of vintage everything. Joan had a more modern flair with the undercut and tight pants.
Since Sadie worked odd days and hours, the likelihood of seeing one another again was either really good or really bad. Hopefully good, because Joan Malone was hot . That smile could let her get away with anything, and her eyes …
She hadn’t been able to get those eyes out of her thoughts.
Footsteps echoed closer until someone rounded the corner. Her pulse catapulted at the sight of Joan Malone. Tonight she wore another short-sleeved shirt with a little diamond pattern and black skinny jeans.
“Sadie Eagan,” Joan said, shifting her gym bag from one hand to the other.
“Joan Malone.” Sadie tugged at the hem of her bright violet sleeveless top.
“Nice to see you again.” Joan’s voice was low and smooth, like the finest whiskey.
“Nice to see you .” Sadie grinned. “I was just thinking about running into you.”
“So you manifested me.”
“I guess I did.”
Joan looked at her with those amber eyes. There wasn’t a word to describe them other than remarkable . Like they could reach inside you and take care of you.
Those eyes would get Sadie in more trouble than that smile.
Joan unlocked her mailbox. She stepped to the side and slid her hand in awkwardly sideways. Didn’t most people shove their faces in to make sure they got everything? Or was Sadie the weird one?
“How was work tonight?” she asked, distractedly fumbling with her keys.
“Not bad. Got everything done I needed to.”
“Are you a personal trainer? Sorry, I can’t remember what you said you did.”
Joan studied her junk mail. “A little bit of everything. Whatever they need help with.”
Sadie nodded, pulling out the same advertisement for—funny enough—a window and glass company. “Which gym do you work at?”
“Do you have a local gym?”
“No,” she laughed. “I prefer not to pay for bodily torture.”
Joan laughed, too. “It’s one across town. Kind of small. Caters to a specific clientele.”
“Like CrossFit?”
“Not that kind of torture. It’s, ah…specialized. Tailored to client needs. Pretty boring to talk about.” She raised her arched eyebrows. “You’re home kind of late. Were you busy at the coffee shop?”
How nice Joan remembered where she worked. “I work the late shift, so I’m usually home around this time,” Sadie said, locking her mailbox.
Joan tore up and tossed her junk mail into the large recycle bin. Sadie was holding on to hers, just in case.
Her new neighbor stepped closer. Her citrus-ginger-pleasantly-sweaty scent floated through the air. “Did you get any good coupons in case you have a taco emergency?” Joan teased.
Sadie rolled the rectangular mailer between her palms. “Not tonight.”
“Too bad.”
If Joan kept looking at her with those eyes and that smile and the heat emanating off her body, Sadie was going to have a very personal taco emergency. The kind Joan could take care of.
“I get excited about a good deal,” Sadie rambled on. “I used to clip coupons with my grandma and mom on Sundays when I was a kid. My sister and I had an unofficial competition to see who could find the best deal every week.”
Amusement pulled at Joan’s tempting lips as they walked out of the alcove. “Who usually won?”
“My sister. She’s older and much more competitive.”
“Where did you grow up?”
“The suburbs,” Sadie said. “West Vector.” Where my mom wishes I still lived. “You?”
“A tiny town nobody’s heard of.”
“Hmm. You strike me as a city person.”
Joan considered that. “I guess I have lived here most of my life.”
“Not cut out for small-town living?”
She pressed the “up” elevator button and stared straight ahead. “Not at all.”
The elevator doors to their right opened. When they stepped in, Joan switched hands for her gym bag. Metallic clanking and clunking came from inside it.
“What do you have in there?” Sadie asked, glancing at the bulging nylon material.
“Hand weights. My workout clothes.”
“You work out in a suit of armor?”
Joan chuckled, a delightful rumble in her equally delightful throat. “There’s a metal water bottle in there.”
The bag looked unusually heavy for something filled with clothes and gym equipment. How much did those hand weights weigh?
“I’m starting to think your gym uses medieval weaponry.” Sadie took a step closer. “Do you have one of those spiked iron balls on a chain?”
Joan shifted the bag slightly behind her. “We used to, but too many people lost an eye.”
“Seriously?”
“No.” She laughed, but in a kind way. “It’s just some hand weights.”
She wasn’t laughing at Sadie, nor did she seem to be lying. Joan’s whole vibe was very trustworthy. Which wasn’t something Sadie could say for most of the people she’d been attracted to in her adult life.
The doors opened on the seventh floor. Joan held out a hand to let Sadie off first. Sadie gave her a little smile. Everything about Joan Malone radiated kindness. Chivalry. Her sweet soft butch approachability.
Sadie slowed her steps as they neared her door. “How’s your apartment? Have you unpacked?”
“For the most part,” Joan said. “I like it so far.”
“You’re in a two-bedroom, right? All the ones on your side with the good view have two bedrooms.”
“Yeah. It has a nice view of Friendship Park.”
“Do you have vindictive pigeons on your side?”
“Vindictive what?” Joan laughed.
“There’s this pigeon who constantly poops on my balcony. I can’t sit out there or have plants or anything. It pooped so much on my tabletop cherry tomato plant last summer, I couldn’t eat any of them.”
“That’s gross. Sorry. I haven’t seen any, but I’ll keep my eyes open now that I’m aware.”
“You’re probably okay because it’s more open on your side,” Sadie said. “I face the alley and high-rise next door.”
“I’ll consider myself lucky, then.”
Sadie steered the convo away from pigeon droppings. “I love the layout of the kitchens on your side. I wish mine was a little bigger.”
Interest flickered in Joan’s eyes. How did interest cause eyes to flicker? “Do you like to cook?” she asked.
“I guess.” Sadie blinked, then refocused on Joan’s eyes. They looked normal again. Well, normal for her beautiful eyes. “I really love crafting coffee drinks. Experimenting with flavor combinations to try at the café.”
Joan nodded in a non-eye-flickering display of interest.
“Are you a big cook?” Sadie guessed from her neighbor’s enthusiasm.
“Yeah. I’m a bit of a foodie.”
Excitement tingled through her stomach. “Do you like cooking new dishes, or going out to eat? Or both?”
“Both. I’m game for anything.”
“Me, too.” Sadie gave her a look that said she’d be game for anything with Joan.
They paused outside Sadie’s apartment. Joan touched the crepe paper wreath. “This is cool.”
“Thanks. I made it.”
“You did?”
“With my own two hands.” Sadie tucked the coupon under one arm to wiggle both sets of fingers.
“You make specialty coffees and craft projects?”
“I’m very handy and creative.” Two things my dates generally appreciate about me.
“No kidding. Do you draw things? Like logos and stuff?”
“I can. I have. I wouldn’t make a career out of it or anything, but I like doing it for fun.”
Joan started to speak. Her gym bag bumped the cream-colored wall and its contents clanked. It made her flinch.
“That’s cool,” she said. “I should let you get some rest. Are you working tomorrow?”
“I am. Stop by if you’re free. I’ll take care of you.”
“Thanks. I’ll try to get there soon.”
Sadie tapped her door key to Joan’s upper arm. “I’ll hold you to it.”
Her eyes did that quick-flare thing again. They were extraordinary. “Goodnight, neighbor,” Joan said.
“’Night, neighbor.”
Joan walked to her own door. Sadie whisper-called, “My shift starts at one tomorrow.”
“Okay,” Joan laughed.
“Our Thursday specials are cinnamon dolce scones and the Avocado Madness sandwich on an everything bagel. We have three freshly brewed seasonal iced teas.”
She laughed harder and went inside her apartment.
Sadie unlocked her door with a sigh. Joan Malone. There was so much to her. So many layers to unwrap.
Her eyes really were extraordinary. They weren’t…well, they weren’t mortal. Humans didn’t have eyes like that unless…
No. That was wishful thinking. Wanting them to be the eyes of a Super. Joan couldn’t be a Super. She lived in an apartment like an ordinary person. Had an ordinary person job.
Though there was something off about the whole “hand weights and a water bottle” story. Joan was in shape—oh boy, was she in shape—but something about her just didn’t feel like she was a gym rat. She seemed more worldly. Like she spent her time out and about in the world.
A gasp escaped Sadie’s mouth. She leaned against the wall. Joan wasn’t helping people get in shape.
She was saving lives.
Was it possible? Could she be a Superhero?
Sadie dropped her keys and mailer to pull out her phone. SuperWatch glowed in her dark apartment. It was the go-to app for all things Super. Her default setting was (obviously) Vector City, so she went to the listing of local Heroes.
Joan definitely wasn’t Lunk or Flight. Lunk was a huge white guy, and Flight was a middle-aged bald Black man. Maybe Race? Race was nonbinary, and Joan hadn’t shared her pronouns—perhaps their pronouns. But something about a Super known for speed didn’t match Joan’s ease and comfort.
That left Catch.
Her heartbeat pounded as she gazed at Catch’s full-length photo. A white woman in a navy-blue bodysuit. Skintight navy blue. Definitely in Superhero shape. Sadie had spent a lot of time admiring that body, and how Catch talked about justice and fairness, and just admiring her in general. She was a genuine hero.
What about reported activity? Sadie clicked on that option to see if there were any updates. Just some current Flight sightings, and one earlier of Lunk getting a giant ice cream sundae. Nothing about Catch, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t—or hadn’t—been active.
This could explain Joan’s eyes. All the things she’d absorbed. Or taking in Sadie’s blatant attraction. Or maybe her eyes did something to conceal their true color, and thus her true identity.
It was possible.
Uncertainty sliced through the elation in her chest. Improbable, though, that a Super had moved into her building and was queer and would be interested in a thirty-four-year-old slightly underemployed barista crafting art projects and squirreling away money for a café she was too afraid to open.
But still…
Sadie gazed at her door.
What if Joan was interested?
And what if Joan was Catch?