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real superheroes like you who have the power to save people from villains on a regular basis and people like me. My powers, such as they are, don’t make me any different from Maria and other normal people. Yours do.”
    “You think it’s the powers that separate us?” Before he realized what he was doing, he was up from his chair and standing only inches from her. Her face was turned away, and she had to look at him so he could make her understand. He touched her soft skin with his fingertips, tipping her chin up. A scowl cut across her full mouth at his touch, but she didn’t move away.
    “Isn’t it?” Her voice was soft, caressing.
    It took a moment for him to remember what they were talking about.
    “It’s not our powers that separate us—make us heroes. Yes, us,” he added as she started to shake her head. “It’s the willingness to put on the uniform. To face things that might be stronger than ourselves in order to save other people. And the lack of power you’re talking about?” Her skin brushed against his as he leaned in to whisper. “That lack of power is what makes you a real superhero, Brenda, because you’re willing to fight in spite of that fact.”
    She turned her head, mouth parted to argue with him, to deny what he could so clearly see. Bringing his face down inches from hers, he grazed her jawline with his knuckles. She swayed toward him, gaze fixed on his mouth. She licked her lips, and the last bit of control he’d clung to broke.
    Her lips were soft—so soft—and after a moment’s hesitation she kissed him back with a zeal he hadn’t expected. The sweet smell of strawberries filled his nose, and it occurred to him on some level that the intoxicating scent was probably her shampoo. He reached for her, touching her back with his hand, needing to get closer, to feel her body on his. She pressed against him eagerly, and her mouth opened. Soft and wet, her tongue caressed his.
    Suddenly he couldn’t think about anything but her. The way she’d filled out her tight, little uniform. And the sexy confidence she donned with her conservative blouse and slacks. He hardened painfully in his uniform, and she moaned. The small sound made every muscle in his body tighten. He didn’t care that they were practically in public. He had to have her. Now.
    “Ahem,” a voice said, and Brenda jumped from him, gone so fast it was as if she had super speed. She left a cold emptiness in his arms when she fled.
    “I don’t mean to interrupt, but I’m in a bit of a rush today. Bingo starts in an hour.”
    “Of course, Mrs. Johns. I’m sorry.” Brenda’s face was so red that for a moment he thought there might be something really wrong with her, but as she helped the short, elderly woman behind the counter, her color returned to normal, and she slid into her professional visage. By the time she passed the receipt to the customer, her expression was hard.
    “You need to go,” Brenda said, as Mrs. Johns disappeared around the corner.
    “Brenda—”
    “Look.” Her expression was still hard but her eyes were wide, panicked. “I need to close up here and fill a few prescriptions. I can’t do that with you distracting me.”
    “But Howler—”
    “Message me if you hear something.” She turned away and pulled the bars down over the front window, and then placed a paper “Closed” sign behind it.
    “All right,” he said. “We’ll talk later.”
    She didn’t reply, so he let himself out.

 
     
    Chapter Three
     
     
    Brenda kicked the covers off her feet and sighed. What a night. Thanks to Justice, sleep had been impossible. Why did he have to kiss her? Even worse, why had he told her those things? She was comfortable with the way she saw herself. She was good at her job, willing to help out when her minimal superpowers would suffice, and that was good enough. She had a better chance than most to be born with a great power, but instead…instead she was only good for filling out a