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machine was already working overtime. The studio ran with the idea so quickly. In only four short weeks, her show had gone from idea to anticipated sensation.
    Guilt nibbled at her constantly. Staying on top meant standing on Zane’s bleached bones as the media vultures picked him clean. So many times she’d thought about marching into Ervin’s big, plush office. All she had to do was say it had all been a terrible mistake and Mind Man wouldn’t be able to be on the show. Each time she chickened out long before she arrived at his door. She was a coward.
    Crime wouldn’t take a vacation, and Zane had a real job too. He was going to have to fit filming a show into his schedule. The whole damn city relied on him. They needed him. As much as she hated him risking his life, what he did mattered. Kids looked up to him. The weak and poor worshiped him. Begrudgingly, the police allowed him to do what he did because they were spread too thin.
    She grabbed her purse and headed out the door. It took her the normal twenty minutes to get home and when she arrived, Zane was already there, waiting in the parking lot.
    “Sorry, work was crazy—I... Never mind.”
    She cringed when he smiled. He didn’t seem the least bit pissed and that only added to her guilt. He wanted something she’d never give him.
    “So where are we eating? I’m starved. Should I run and change?” Maybe eating like a linebacker would turn him off.
    “No place fancy. You look perfect.”
    “Thanks,” she replied stiffly. She needed him to do the show, but didn’t want to let him know her feelings hadn’t died as she’d tried to make him believe. Dina walked the line between pissing him off and being cold carefully. He didn’t seem the least bit fazed, which annoyed her, she was working hard at being a bitch. Don’t hate me, but don’t love me so damn much. She just wanted him to be her friend, but not to want what they could never have.
    “You’re tense,” he observed.
    “Sure. There’s a lot going on. I’m exhausted. Let’s get going.”
    They walked over to his car. He opened the door for her and she got inside. When he was in the driver’s seat and the engine roared to life, he glanced at her.
    “I’m sorry if you had other plans. I’ve really missed you.” He reached over and covered her hand with his. She jerked away as if he’d burned her. Zane frowned. “I’m not so heroic that I’m above extortion when it comes to your time, Dina.”
    Her mouth curled to one side with annoyance and she looked out the window. When he said stuff like that, she crumbled inside. She wanted to throw herself into his arms, but that would be foolish, for both of them.
    They drove for a few blocks in silence. “We’re almost there,” he said quietly.
    There weren’t any restaurants close by. This area was all residential neighborhoods. She gave him a skeptical look and he grinned.
    “Don’t worry. I plan to feed you.”
    They’d endured their fair share of hunger. A statement like that might not mean the same thing it did to most people. The simple act of providing for each other had once meant so much between them. She held her breath and fought the primal response growing inside of her. She wanted to kiss him. The old feelings might be dormant when he was away, but the moment she was next to him, she was twenty again and madly in love. Sometimes she hated herself for not being able to let go.
    There was a small park up ahead. She remembered it. They’d come here when they wanted to get away from the others. They’d eaten here many summer nights. He’d bring her a sandwich and they’d eat and talk. She loved the simple moments. Even if the park hadn’t been the safest place after dark, she’d never worried because her superman had her back. Even now, with the decaying park displaying deteriorating standards, she didn’t feel a single twinge of fear. Zane would protect her; he always took care of her.
    She hated the way she felt. He made