Page 39 of Minnie

Chase scoops him up and follows Wes. Julian races after them, probably so he doesn’t get stuck talking to me.

I figure this isn’t the right time to ask how Tiptoe’s doing, and get to work. I put away the wagon and my purse, put on my apron, and get ready to start the day.

It’s slow at first, but then it starts to pick up. Every time the bell above the door jingles I look up, though I’m not sure who I’m hoping to see. Delphine, so we can try to break the curse? Or the chameleon shifter, who may or may not be my fated mate?

I slide a Mood Tea across the counter to Officer Liam, Violet the librarian’s fated mate, and grab one of the signature Jewels Cafe mugs so I can get started on a pumpkin spice latte for the next person in line.

As much as I appreciate Amber giving me this job, I hate working at Jewels Cafe during PSL season. With the rumors still going around that they can help you find your fated mates, I swear half the town comes in to try their luck. Humans buy lottery tickets—single supernaturals drink pumpkin spice.

If I could work up a sweat, I would.

I just finish sliding three PSLs on a tray to a middle-aged woman named Barb who’s new in town when Amber waddles downstairs. Her eyes are no longer red from crying, and she’s brushed her hair so it falls in soft, blonde waves down her shoulders.

“Sorry about before,” she says softly. “It’s the pregnancy hormones. They get the best of me sometimes.”

I nod, even though I’m pretty sure pregnancy isn’t to blame.

“Do you mind if I change the music?” she adds. “I know you’re not a fan, but I really need this.”

I nod, and Amber grabs her phone. Damien Starr’s crooning over the speaker, and I want to punch his ‘innocent and sweet, wild and free’ ass. They’re the worst lyrics I’ve ever heard, and I don’t understand how Amber can keep listening to them.

She tries to sound perky when she announces, “Delphine should be here any minute now. We’ve been chatting on Screech.”

“What does she look like?” Since I deleted Screech, I can’t check. And honestly, I wouldn’t want to. Every time I go on the app, it’s just another reminder that my life is a complete and utter mess.

“Blonde and pretty,” Amber says, though she could just as easily be describing herself. “She kind of looks like a sorority girl. Oh, there she is!”

The source of Amber’s excitement crosses the street toward the cafe. She’s perfectly put together, her straight blonde hair falling past her shoulders, her blue t-shirt tucked into faded jeans. A huge gold pendant that looks like it cost a fortune rests on her collarbone, and I wonder if she’s using potions, too.

I just don’t understand how other people manage to look good naturally.

The bell above the cafe doors jingles as she steps inside.

“Delphine, you came!” Amber cries.

Delphine looks a bit taken aback by Amber’s energy—to be frank, I am too. She’s clearly trying to compensate for the whole Not a Vampire thing, but the outcome is slightly less perky and more crazy.

Delphine gives her a polite, though slightly guarded, smile. “How could I pass up a free drink?”

Amber grins. “You don’t know how glad I am that you’re here.”

Delphine glances behind her at the empty cafe. Then she lowers her voice, as if there’s an invisible customer lurking somewhere. Since it’s Silver Springs, that’s actually not outside the realm of what’s possible. “I’m happy to help. It’s not every day that someone actually wants me around. Because of my powers, I mean.”

Amber nods. “So how do your powers work, exactly? Pepp didn’t go into details.”

Delphine fiddles with her gold pendant. “My powers nullify spells and magical beings.”

I roll my eyes. “Sounds lame.” Thanks, Formula M. Especially since her power sounds way cooler than my own. I bet if I could nullify magic, my mother wouldn’t hate me.

“Don’t listen to Minnie,” Amber quickly jumps in.

“It’s fine,” Delphine says wearily. “It’s pretty much how everyone reacts, only sometimes worse.”

Amber shakes her head. “Not Minnie. She’s just nervous because it’s her curse we’re trying to break. Well, not her curse. She didn’t cast it. It was cast on her. And we’re hoping you can nullify it… um… how does that work exactly?”

“I can cancel out magic within a range of five feet or so.”

“So you’re like a living breathing ward,” Amber whispers. “A magic dampener. A curse breaker.”