Page 53 of Minnie

She shrugs. “It’s a hobby.”

Called it.

“Is your hobby throwing yourself at Julian?”

She yawns. “Whatever.”

I resist the urge to strangle her and decide to switch tactics. “How did you recognize me?”

She doesn’t reply.

“You knew I was the gorgon, and Violet, and you recognized me as the accountant. How?”

She shrugs. “You have a tell.”

Fuck. She really could school someone at poker. Probably does, on the regular.

I place a hand on the wall behind her. “There must be something you want. Name it, and it’s yours. All you have to do is marry me.” And save me from a fate worse than death.

Then I can ditch you and your annoying ass and go back to living my life.

Chapter 27

Minnie

I hate to admit it, but Damien Starr is even hotter in person than he is in the photos he constantly posts on Screech. Could he be more vain? Not that I stalk his profile or anything. Especially considering I deleted the app ages ago. But every once in a while, Amber’s got it up on her phone, and I can’t help but sneak a peek.

Damien towers over me, a cocky smile on his lips. The longer I spend near him, the more I want to kiss it away, but Formula M keeps me from leaning in. Thank the goddess!

I lounge back against the brick wall as if nothing is the matter. As if it doesn’t hurt to see the man Danny grew up to be. As if it doesn’t bother me that my childhood friend was too embarrassed to be seen with me.

Being with him, like this, feels so familiar and so right. And yet so foreign and so wrong. And it hurts so much more than I thought it would.

I avoided him like the plague when Not a Vampire came to Silver Springs several years back. But not because I expected it to be this hard. I just didn’t have the energy to watch him pretend he didn’t know who I was.

Instead, I pictured a different reunion. One where I’d be on the arms of a handsome prince and Damien would fall to his knees and beg for forgiveness. Or he would proclaim his undying love, and I’d tell him ‘too bad, I’ve moved on.’ What? A girl can dream.

And I have moved on, because I’m not falling for his act twice.

“Come on, Minnie. Think about it. You could marry a famous rock star. You’ll be all over the tabloids, and all over Screech. As popular as it gets.”

The thought of that much attention makes me want to throw up. I examine my perfectly manicured nails. “Tempting, but I’d also have to be married to you… so pass.”

Minnie - One Gazillion

Damien - Zero

He growls, and the sound sends a shiver down my spine. He’s got one palm flat on the wall next to my head, and he leans forward, crowding me. Not giving me space to breathe.

His closeness sends my body into overdrive, but Formula M counteracts all his Damien-y effects, and keeps me indifferent. Keeps me safe.

But it also doesn’t let me react. At all. Even my heart refuses to race, which somehow makes things worse. It doesn’t leave me with anywhere to channel all the nervous energy I feel.

There’s nowhere for all this attraction I feel toward Damien Starr to go.

It makes me feel all the more out of sorts. But the more I feel off, the more Formula M doubles down. Which leaves me with no escape.

My feet refuse to walk away.