27. Chapter 27 - Minnie
The moment I’m back at Jewels Cafe, I pull Natty aside. It doesn’t take long to convince him he wants to take Latte to the park. And he only has to shout the words ‘puppy park’ twice before the bear shifter is on board… as long as it’s okay with me.
I nod, like it wasn’t my idea all along, and examine my nails. Which is typical Formula M behavior and seems to pass the Wes test.
While Natty pulls on his socks and sneakers—not a simple task for the three-year-old, but one he loves doing—I settle Agent Tiptoe on my shoulder.
My nose twitches involuntarily. “I’ve missed you, little guy.”
“Me too,” Tiptoe snuggles against my neck.
A warm fuzzy feeling settles in my chest. Using my powers feels right.
Before I realize what I’m doing, I lick my hand and run it through my hair. Luckily, Wes is too busy showing Natty how to put on the pup’s leash to notice.
I can already picture him telling Amber what a weirdo I am, and my heart pounds wildly in my chest.
No more mousy behavior, Minnie!
I take a deep breath and keep my body perfectly still. “Is the collar bothering you, Tip?”
Tiptoe shakes his head, and the bell jingles. “It’s pretty.”
Another involuntary nose twitch. “I’m glad.”
“But I’d like to take it off.”
I scratch the mouse’s neck with my perfectly manicured nails. “Soon, buddy. Soon.”
I hope.
Wes settles a grinning Natty on his shoulders and scoops the pup up under one arm like a football. “Ready to go?”
I nod. “You should bring Amber along,” I suggest innocently. “Fresh air is good for the babies. So is some exercise.”
“Great idea.” Wes glances at Tiptoe. “What about this little guy?”
“I want to go on the slide,” the mouse squeaks.
“He wants to go on the slide,” I tell Wes. “Do you mind if he tags along?”
“You know you’re always welcome, Tiptoe,” Wes tells the mouse, who scurries down my arm, jumps onto Wes, and races up his shirt to his favorite spot on the bear shifter’s shoulder.
As we head downstairs, my palms start to sweat. What if Amber wants to stay at the cafe? She can’t be around for what I have planned.
But Wes practically begs her to come along, and just like that, it’s two down, two to go.
And as for Julian? The moment he realizes he’d end up at the cafe with me without Amber as a buffer, he practically runs out the door after them—super politely, in his usual Julian way, of course.
The most shocking part? I don’t flirt with him once.
Without Formula M in my system, I don’t bat my eyelashes. I don’t giggle. And I don’t tell him his t-shirt looks amazing—which it never does. Today, there’s a giant coffee stain on his chest, though judging by the way Amber’s looking at him, she doesn’t mind one bit.
She gives Chase—who’s at a corner table madly typing away on his laptop—a quick kiss on the cheek, makes sure I’m all set at the counter, and threads her fingers through Julian’s.
Wes guide them out of the cafe, and I sense Julian slowly moving toward the park. Proof that the curse is alive and well.
But at least I know for sure it’s three down, and one to go.
Good thing I have time.
I pull out my phone—which still has a decent charge—and log into my bank account. The number of zeros makes me a little queasy, and I turn off the screen as my heart threatens to explode.
At least the money means I’ll be able to afford to go on Amber’s cruise. Not that I want to be there—but it sure beats dying. And as soon as I put my chipmunk plan into action, my living situation will be solved—so long as nothing goes wrong.
A wave of panic slams into me, but Formula M’s calming effects never come.
Breathe, Minnie. Remember to breathe. You have money now.
You can call up the Warshire Witch and order some Formula M 2.
0… with all the calm and none of the Julian.
You can make sure the new version lets you run, in case Natty is ever in trouble.
And lets you wear any clothes you want and eat and drink any food you choose.
I should go shopping tomorrow—at the mall, a place I’ve never been able to set foot inside, let alone shop at.
Maybe I’ll even order something greasy at the food court.
And buy an outfit that doesn’t cost my entire year’s salary.
I’m thinking sweats, a t-shirt, sneakers, and a hoodie. Take that, Maude Montgomery.
Assuming I don’t get caught today. If anyone finds out I’ve been squatting at the bakery…
The bell above the cafe door jingles, and Lotus walks in. There’s a perk in her step now that she’s happily mated. To three men. Like half the women in town.
And all I’ve got are fated hates.
I know my thoughts are spiraling, and try to focus on her PSL.
“Gods, I need this, Minnie. Sapphire’s Jizz Cream idea should be great for business, but the design is killing me. I think we’ve got the look nailed, now I’m working on the flavor. The tang’s the thing.”
“Sounds great,” I lie. Flying Horse’s adult line may be a huge hit in town, but I’d rather have pickle or mac and cheese ice cream than Jizz Cream.
But I’ll probably never get jizz access in real life, so maybe I should at least try the ice cream.
Chatting with Lotus is a good distraction, but once she’s gone, I remember my chipmunk plan and my palms start to sweat again.
I’m going to get caught. Just like we’ll get caught if we try to free the fuzzies.
My hands shake, and I pour half the mood tea for the next customer on the floor. I’m surprised Chase doesn’t fire me. Then again, I’m not sure he has any clue what I’m doing—or not doing—given how fast he’s typing. And honestly? I’m probably a better barista now than I ever was on Formula M.
Once I sense that Julian’s reached the park, I glance at Chase. He’s staring blankly at his computer, a frown on his face. Perfect. Well, maybe not for his manuscript. But definitely for me.
“Chase, can you take over for a bit?” I call out.
No response.
My pulse spikes. Why did I think I could pull this off?
My plan is going to fail before it’s even started. Zachariah is going to realize the house isn’t ours, and he’ll figure out the truth, and take my boy away from me.
I can’t lose Natty!
“Chase? Chase!”
He looks up, startled.
“Can you take over? Please? I really need a break.”
“Already?”
“It’s been hours!” I lie. “The others should be back any minute.”
He frowns and mutters something under his breath. Probably that I’m a big, fat liar.
This isn’t going to work. This isn’t going to work! This—
Chase gets to his feet. “Sorry I lost track of time. Go ahead.”
I push aside my guilt and rush into the alley out back, where Blaze and her friends are waiting.
There are several dozen chipmunks, which is a lot more than I expected.
If she’d asked me to bring all my friends, I’d be lucky if I could convince Amber, Violet and Zoe to come…
but I guess if they brought their fated mates, it would make an even dozen.
Still only half of what Blaze managed to put together in the span of an hour. Makes me wish I was a chipmunk.
Focus, Minnie!
If I get caught, and word gets out that I’d been squatting at the bakery with Natty, I’m going to lose him. And if the authorities don’t take him away, Zachariah will.
Maybe I should just abandon all our stuff. Throw it in the dumpster out back. It beats getting caught.
But if we don’t put at least some used stuff in our new house, Zachariah will know something’s up.
He will anyway!
He’s not stupid. The furniture is too new. The toys look like no one’s ever touched them, because no one has. And Natty’s too little to understand the concept of secrets. He’ll say something to give us away.
This isn’t going to work.
I’m doomed.
Breathe!