Page 5 of The Bleeding Hearts Club

“Miami. Beach. You said you’re ‘testing’ your shirt for the beach. And this plane is to Miami?”

Is he not going to Miami? That was a stupid assumption, Mina? What the fuck are you doing anyway? Who talks to strangers on planes if they aren’t forced to by sitting in the middle seat?

“I’m, uh, not going to Miami actually. Well, I mean, I am, but it’s just the closest airport to where I am actually going.”

“Oh that’s cool. I’m in the same situation. I had hoped an airport, even like a small one, would be close to the resort I’m going to but no. It’s whatever, though. I get to ride a ferry. Never done that before.”

Jesus, Mina, shut up. Again with the word vomit. This guy probably had like a small island his family owns that he’s going to. He doesn’t care about you going on some weird ass single’s retreat because your love life is ass.

Wait, ferry? Retreat? Resort?!

“You aren’t possibly going to Lugosi Bay are you?” The hope in my voice was so obvious. I just hope she can’t hear the desperation. I’m practically on my knees for this girl already.

“Yeah, I am. Have you heard of it? I’d never heard of it before my friend set up this vacation thing for me.”

“Have I heard of it? Of course I have! I’m going there too.”

Her face pales, and her eyes widen slightly.

Shit.

“Really?” She sounds nervous and kind of…dreadful?

Nah.

“Yep. Don’t worry. I’ve been on a ferry before. I’ll show you the ropes. I’m Theo, by the way. And I want to apologize again for what happened in Charleston. I hope the coffee doesn’t stain,” I cringe.

Theo, huh? Cute. Suits the whole puppy vibe.

“Mina. And thank you for apologizing, but it was just as much my fault as yours. I should’ve watched where I was going. But I’ll let you get back to your movie.” She forces a smile at me and turns back to face the window. It doesn’t quite reach her eyes, but it’s a step. At least she doesn’t want to burn the plane down.

I have five days. Five days with her on the island, in the resort, in the retreat.

She’s going to the retreat!

My head snaps towards her. I trail my gaze from her head to her toes. Nothing is really jumping out to me in terms of vampiness.

Werewolf? No. She doesn’t really have that sort of energy Emmett has. Though she is in a window seat, and he gets a hard on for watching things race by the windows in car rides. Or maybe that’s just being in a car? I’m not sure. I need to ask him.

Demon? Hmm. No. She’s fiery for damn sure, but not like that. She doesn’t smell like smoke either, so that rules out dragon shifters as well.

Witch? Well, maybe. She does have that new age witchy vibe with the hair and the style of her outfit from the last airport.

One thing is for sure though, I definitely won’t be alone this week. I have a chance. Not just a short, fling chance like all the others, either. A real chance.

She likes monster love stories. Last I checked I’m a monster desperate for a love in my life. Perfect match.

Time to turn on the charm, Theodore.

Chapter 3

Mina

“Ah,” Theo sighed, “Isn’t this just great?”

My head is over the rails on the ferry. I’ve puked three times. The air smells like a back alley sushi place that should’ve been shut down ten years ago, and this damn boat won’t stop rocking. This is anything but great.

“Look at this view. God, it’s beautiful. The sky is clear, the brightest blue, and the water is sparkling like a million diamonds. And to top it off, the most perfect woman in the world is standing beside me,” he continues.