Page 46 of Wynter

“That’s just sad.”

“You’re sad,” Mini snaps back, sounding like a petulant five-year-old. Which would be kind of funny if my life wasn’t a total and complete mess.

“You’re right. I really am.”

“Hey, I didn’t mean it like that.” Mini rolls her eyes. “I’d give anything to be you. You have, like, epic powers, you know? You could get any job you wanted in Silver Springs. Or move to some other town.”

“So could you.”

“Me?” Mini snorts. “Look at this.”

She points a finger at one of the takeout containers on my coffee table, and it briefly turns all pink and sparkly.

“That’s… um… Pretty?” I ask hesitantly.

“Pretty useless.” Mini snorts. “For the record, I was trying to make it levitate.”

“So stop trying to make things levitate.” I roll my eyes.

“Whatever.” Mini pops another bubble.

“That’s like me trying to talk to Snowball. That’s your magic. The agency would kill for that kind of power.” I purse my lips. “What animals can you talk to? Mice? Flies?”

“Flies never make any sense. But I can talk to mice, cats, dogs, horses.” She shrugs again, like it’s no big deal.

“Think about it. You could infiltrate entire criminal rings by sending in animals no one would notice or pay attention to.” I shake my head. “Maybe we should both go work for the agency. It’s not like either of us has anything left in Silver Springs. And it would be nice to work with a friend.”

“So we’re friends now?” Mini examines her nails, but someone knocks on the door before I can answer.

We both turn and stare, not sure what to expect. The police waiting to arrest me for a theft I didn’t commit? Leith, begging me to give him another chance? My boss, Wes, here to fire me in person? My Ghosthole ex, gloating after making me come?

“Are you going to get it or what?” Mini asks when I don’t make any move to get up.

“You could get it too, you know,” I say pointedly back.

“I don’t even live here.” Mini twirls a strand of her frizzy hair around one finger.

“You had no problem getting the door when you knew it was food,” I point out. “Plus, I can’t open it. It would disturb Snowball.”

Mini glances at the fuzzy on my lap and snorts. “You win this round.”

I watch her head to the door, but I can’t see whoever’s on the other side.

“Zoe, it’s for you,” Mini calls out. Like that’s even helpful.

“Sorry, Snow.” I give my fuzzy one final pet and set her down on the couch. Then I get to my feet, cross the living room, and stop short. “Xavi?”

“Zoe!” He rushes inside.

“Get out,” I shout, making him stop short just inches from the door.

“No. Please. I can explain.”

“I don’t need you to explain. I need you to leave.”

“Zoe, please!”

“Fine. If you won’t go, I will.” I try to walk past him, and he shifts.