Page 20 of Minnie

If I owned this place, I’d fire her on the spot. Then again, if I did that, there’s no way in hell she’d agree to marry me.

“Hey, Violet,” Minnie says. It takes me a second to realize she’s talking to me. Shit. How the hell does she know Mousy Cardigan Girl?

“Stupid small town.”

“That’s what I always say,” Minnie smiles not-at-all-sweetly and examines her nails like they’re the most fascinating thing in the world. And having done the yeti-check myself, I know that they most certainly are not. She’s no hairy beast, and those nails? In comparison, they’re boring as fuck.

“What do you always say?” I demand. Aside from ‘whatever,’ which has been a staple of her vocabulary all morning. Coupled with all the yawns, eye-rolls, and nail-checks, I’d have to say her mother did a stellar job of brainwashing her.

What the hell happened to the girl I used to know?

I feel like punching something… or someone. Not Minnie. I wouldn’t beat up a girl, not even if I’ve shifted into one. But I wouldn’t mind taking my anger out on a punching bag. Or a tree.

“Silver Springs is lame,” Minnie says. “But I didn’t think you, of all people, would agree with me, Violet.”

What the hell does that mean?

She clearly knows Violet well. Would she spill all her secrets to her? Maybe even tell her what I want to know? The one thing Minnie would be willing to sell herself for?

I try for a friendly smile. And pull it off much better than Evil-Doll-Minnie, if I say so myself. “Why don’t you just go somewhere else?”

Minnie yawns. “Where should I go?”

“You tell me.”

She doesn’t get a chance to reply, because footsteps echo down the stairs, and a man steps into the cafe. I recognize him from earlier. He’s the guy who was carrying the gift wrapped box. Chase.

“Oh, hey, Violet,” he greets me. “Amber’s taking a nap.”

Like I give a fuck… but I guess this Violet would. Good thing I was listening in on Minnie’s conversation and heard that she’s having more than one. “She needs all the sleep she can get before the babies come.”

Chase nods. “Can we get you something to drink?”

I shake my head. “I forgot my wallet.” I didn’t, but if I take out my wallet, they might realize I’m not Violet.

Chase snorts. “Since when do you pay for your drinks?”

Minnie taps her nails on the counter, like this entire situation is annoying and I should either order something or leave.

“I have to go. I… forgot my phone!”

“Wait,” Minnie says. She doesn’t really sound like she cares if I do, but being the fool that I am, I stop.

I could never say no to Minnie, and even now, after she’s turned into this stranger, I still can’t.

“Let me make you a drink,” she says.

Chase nods. “Amber would never forgive us if we let her sister leave when she’s clearly upset.”

Her sister? Fuck me.

I race out the door without looking back. I’m not used to running with fucking balloons slapping my chest with every step. How do women live like this?

At least it’s not snakes.

Anything is better than snakes.

Once I’m out of sight of the cafe, and practically on the other side of town, I finally stop to catch my breath. Violet is definitely not winning any marathons.