Page 16 of Minnie

Which all really goes to show that I’ve inherited the judgmental gene from Maude Montgomery. Or that I’m seriously freaking out now that I know he’s my fated mate.

Any sort of relationship for me is out of the question. And even if I could date—which I can’t—and I were to fall madly in love, I’m still the freak who needs Formula M to survive. Why would anyone want to be with me?

The gorgon looks up from his phone and his lips curve. “See anything you like?”

The embarrassment is instantaneous, but my cheeks don’t flush and I don’t rush out of the room. I also don’t do any of the cringe-worthy things my gut tells me to, like dive behind the counter or crawl out of the cafe.

When I do speak, I’m perfectly cool and collected. “You wish.”

It would be better if I could make a classy exit, but I can’t seem to tear my eyes off him. Literally. Formula M forces me to maintain eye contact—or as much eye contact as one can maintain with a gorgon wearing reflective black sunglasses.

I wait for him to look away first, but he keeps staring. Is he into me? Or is he just the type who never backs down?

I examine my nails. “Do you need anything?”

He shrugs. “Nope. I’m good.”

Maybe we are fated mates. The magic connecting us does look the same as the fiery magic connecting Amber to her men. And I’ve seen the same fated mate magic all over town. Purple magic connects Amber’s sister to her mates: a troll cop, a social media mogul vampire mage, and to Wes’s bear shifter library assistant brother, Nole. Turquoise magic connects Zoe to her chameleon shifter hockey player, a mage detective, and an ice block shifter journalist. The three friends all have three fated mates each, and some women in town have even more. Maybe that’s what’s happening to me?

Or it’s all an elaborate trick courtesy of Maude Montgomery…

My heart sinks. There hasn’t been a new fated mate connection in Silver Springs in years. The chances of it happening now, and to me, are slim. I’m probably drawn to the gorgon the same way I’m drawn to Julian—due to false magic.

Unless he is the one…

Frustration bubbles inside me, and I stand there for several more seconds until Formula M calms me enough that I can finally move.

I unlock Jewels Cafe, serve the disgruntled snowman shifter waiting outside, and turn to the gorgon. The least I can do is get to know him, and go from there. Even if we can’t date, if we are fated mates, maybe we can be friends. “I’m Minnie.”

“I know.” He shakes his head, but doesn’t bother looking up from his phone. “I’ve heard it like a dozen times.”

I flush on the inside and wish I could make up some excuse and just leave. Walk out of the cafe, leave Silver Springs, and start a new life on the other side of the world. With Natty, of course. Pipe dream.

Formula M makes me hold my ground. “And your name is?”

He’s silent for so long I’m sure he’s not going to answer. Finally, he says, “Gorg.”

“Gorg the gorgon?” I ask.

He shrugs.

Guess his parents weren’t very creative.

“Can I get you another espresso, Gorg?” I offer. “On the house.”

He shrugs again.

I make it anyway, along with a Unicorn Hot Chocolate for myself. Formula M won’t let me drink the whole thing, but I can usually get in a few small sips of sugary goodness, along with a lick or two of whipped cream.

The cafe is quiet, so I grab our drinks and settle across the table from Gorg.

He raises an eyebrow, which peeks out from behind his sunglasses. “So, you’re a barista?” As in the weird barista who makes herself at home at a customer’s table.

Instead of getting back up and running out of the room, I raise an eyebrow right back and wait.

“Why are you working here?” he asks. I figure it’s because the guy is obviously successful and thinks my job is beneath him, when he adds, “You’re not very good at it.”

I feel a wave of rage, and Formula M takes over. “I’ll have you know I’m great at my job. The only thing I’m not good at is taking unwarranted criticism from strangers.”