Page 4 of Minnie: Double, Double, Toil and Trouble

I wonder if throwing a Jewels Cafe mug at the speakers would get me fired. Probably. And it wouldn’t be setting a good example for Natty.

I open my mouth to tell Amber just how much I hate Little Wolf, Not a Vampire, and Damien’s smug face, but Formula M stops me. It sends a wave of calm coursing through me, and I feel myself shrugging. “Whatever.”

Amber regards me for a second. “I don’t mind changing it. I can always listen to it later.” She doesn’t even sound resentful as she puts on some classical music.

Natty stops wiggling and turns to Amber and Wes. “Minnie and I are squatting.”

This is so not my day. I feel the need to cringe—and possibly start hyperventilating—but Formula M doesn’t let me. It also has this annoying habit of doubling down on its effects whenever I’m freaking out, so the more anxious I get, the more bored I look.

I examine my manicure with a yawn.

Amber raises an eyebrow at my reaction and turns to the boy. “What was that, Natey-Nate?”

“Minnie and I are squatting,” he repeats, though come to think of it, it sounds a lot more like “squaw-ing.”

Amber and Wes shoot me confused looks, and that, coupled with Formula M’s calming effects, does the trick.

I relax. “I taught Natty to do squats this morning.”

Natty giggles. “I fell on my butt!”

My heart smiles, but my face stays Formula M bored.

Wes and Amber don’t have that problem, and they both grin.

Wes rounds the counter. “You two must have worked up quite an appetite.”

Natty nods emphatically.

“We did,” I agree.

Wes is a great cook, and the bakery doesn’t have a working kitchen, running water, or electricity. I’ve got a stash of granola bars, applesauce, and bananas, but I can always count on Wes for a hot, delicious—and most importantly free—breakfast.

He holds out his arms for Natty. “Do you want to help me mix the ingredients?”

Natty examines his nails. “Whatever.”

Wes chuckles. “I take it that means yes?”

Natty stops pretending to be me and nods emphatically. Then, he shows that I haven’t been that bad of an influence by adding a, “yes, please!”

Wes scoops him up, and Tiptoe jumps from the boy’s shoulder and into my Birkin a second before Wes tosses Natty into the air.

The little boy squeals happily, and I tense inwardly as he flies high and then drops into Wes’s arms. Formula M sends some calming waves through me, and I turn away so I don’t have to watch.

My gaze immediately lands on the gorgon standing outside the cafe. He’s got snakes peeking out from beneath his black beanie, and he’s wearing reflective sunglasses—a good thing, or he might accidentally turn someone to stone. He’s also holding a white cane, which he seems to forget about and almost trips over as he enters the cafe.

For a split second, I think he might actually be blind, but dismiss the thought as he looks around the small cafe. Something about him holds my attention, but I might as well be invisible, given the amount of attention he pays me.

He heads straight to the counter, eyes only for Amber, as he orders an espresso. For some odd reason, I want his attention back on me… but then Wes throws Natty up in the air again and it’s gorgon, shmorgon.

I know the bear shifter would never drop the little boy—and Natty keeps yelling ‘again’ so I know he’s loving every moment—but that doesn’t make the anxiety lessen any. Formula M barely keeps up until Wes settles a grinning Natty on his shoulders.

Maybe I should buy some Bear Shifter Strength potion with my next paycheck. Regular Minnie may not be able to roughhouse with Natty, but Potioned-Up Minnie can do anything. Who knows, maybe I’ll even freak out less once I’m the one doing the tossing.

Natty looks at my bag. “Tiptoe, come!”

I reach inside and scoop out the mouse. Formula M keeps my nose from twitching, and I hope my mouse still understands me when I say, “Go with Natty.”