Page 6 of Minnie: Double, Double, Toil and Trouble

When Amber finally returns, relief courses through me, and I say the first thing that comes to mind. “What’s Julian doing across town?”

As in Julian, Amber’s mate, whose life is forever intertwined with mine. I don’t even care where he is or what he’s doing—or, I wish I didn’t—I just can’t seem to help but be aware of exactly where he is at all times.

Amber places a hand on her pregnant belly, but her eyes twinkle when she teases, “Minerva Montgomery, are you trying to tell me you’re still obsessed with my mate?”

“You wish,” I fire back, though it’s mostly Formula M talking. Plus, Amber and I both know I am, and always will be, obsessed with Julian. Just not like that. “And it’s Minnie Alexander now.”

Amber’s eyes widen. “Since when?”

“Since last night, when I finally heard from the judge.” I sound pretty bored with the whole thing, but that’s just Formula M talking. Inside, I’m squealing and jumping for joy as I grab my Birkin and pull my brand new ID from my wallet. “Minerva Montgomery is dead.”

The gorgon looks up from his phone. “Don’t you think that’s a little dramatic?”

I forget that he’s a customer and say the first thing that comes to mind. “Not as dramatic as your snakes.”

He frowns.

“Sorry about that,” Amber apologizes for me. “Your snakes are lovely.”

I’m not sure ‘lovely’ is the right word, since they’re still giving me the silent treatment, but they are definitely the furthest thing from dramatic. And he is a customer, and I need to remain professional.

I cringe on the inside, the word sorry already on my lips, but Formula M isn’t a fan of apologies. I examine my manicure instead. “Whatever.”

Sometimes, Formula M really sucks. Then again, it also keeps me from bursting into tears, hiding behind the counter like a weirdo, and having panic attacks every time something goes wrong… so I can’t complain.

Luckily, I’m saved by the bell—literally—as the one above the cafe’s front door dings, letting in the second customer of the day… and allowing me to ignore the first. I take the order—PSL for Paisley the pixie—and start on her pumpkin spice latte while Amber takes care of the small talk.

I’m just sliding it across the counter when the next customer—the troll cop, Liam, who’s Amber’s sister’s mate—comes in and I get started on his Mood Tea.

More customers filter in behind him, and Amber and I fall into a routine. We make PSLs, with an occasional Mood Tea or Unicorn Hot Chocolate mixed in. Along with one pumpkin spice hot chocolate with an extra shot of chocolate and whipped cream for a human named Jenn.

I keep sneaking looks at the gorgon between orders. I can’t seem to help myself, even knowing his personality leaves much to be desired. That and the fact that he’s not the least bit interested in me. He even waits until my back is turned to order another espresso from Amber, then continues to scroll through his phone like he’s got nowhere to be.

When the morning rush comes to a halt, Wes and Natty come downstairs to bring us some delicious quiche—which Formula M forces me to eat in tiny bites despite the fact that I’m literally starving—and then Natty gives me a hug and they head upstairs to play.

I turn to Amber and lower my voice so the gorgon—who still hasn’t left, or looked at me, this whole time—can’t overhear. “Thanks for watching Natty. And for giving me this job.”

“It’s our pleasure. Well, the watching Natty part.” She grins, so I know she’s teasing. She pats her rounded belly and worries her lower lip. “We need all the practice we can get.”

I roll my eyes, and this time, Formula M has nothing to do with it. “You’ve got nothing to worry about on the parenting front. You’re great with Natty, and you’ve got three mates, all of whom will be amazing dads. Not to mention Julian’s entire family will descend on you the moment the babies are here… I’m honestly surprised they haven’t already. And Wes’s, too,” I add as an afterthought, since the bear shifter comes from a large family.

Amber wrings her hands. “I know. I’m just being silly, but… what if I’m not a natural, like you?”

“Me? A natural?” The idea is laughable. I have no clue what I’m doing with Natty, but instead of sounding shocked, I sound completely nonchalant, like the whole topic bores me.

“You’re so good with Natty,” Amber gushes. “You always keep your cool… not that you can lose your cool because of, you know…” she waves her hand vaguely, but it’s obvious she means Formula M, “And Natty absolutely adores you.”

“He’s a great kid.” More than great. He’s amazing and perfect and I love him with every ounce of my being. But he’s also not mine, and one day, his dad will take him away. Then, I’ll be lucky if I catch a glimpse of him in town—assuming his dad plans to stay in Silver Springs.

I feel like crying, but Formula M has my back. No bursting into tears at work for this girl. I place my hand gently on Amber’s. “I always just figure things out as I go. You will too.” Even if you end up squatting in an abandoned bakery, pilfering meals off neighbors, and taking showers at the community center.

Amber wrings her hands again. “So speaking of figuring things out… I’ve been meaning to talk to you about something.”

Whatever it is, my gut tells me, I’m not going to like it.

Chapter 4

Minnie