Page 114 of Make Me Laugh

I distract myself from thinking about the end by scrolling on social media for a while. I stumble across a sick transition by a small bookish creator who tagged Hex as their inspiration.

Before being doxxed, I used to spend a lot of time engaging with my followers, happy to build a community around the things I love.

Dark books, witty banter, and spooky vibes.

I haven’t replied to much since I returned to social media, doing enough to let people see I’m still around and not just posting and ghosting. Part of me misses it, wishing I could go back to before when I became Hex to escape.

Now I almost feel like I’m trying to escape Hex, even though that’s the last thing I want, but I also don’t think I want to go back to before either… because West wouldn’t get to come with me.

This is all so fucked.

I run a hand down my face, groan, and hit send on the comment before I can overthink it.

HexedHeroine: HOT

People take notice immediately, replies to my comment piling up quickly.

Comment reply: OMG HEX HEY GURL HOW U DOIN

Comment reply: Hex, please!!!! Are you and West Parker dating? Just tell us!

I heart a few of the nice replies, save the video to my favorites, reshare it, and return to my computer to check my own business email.

West’s stuff has taken precedence over the last few days, putting me behind on replies to my own brand deals, new and old.

There are about a hundred spam emails that somehow make it through the blocker I pay for. I scan through the AI-generated bullshit, making sure there’s nothing important getting mixed in.

Bob White. Delete.

Mary Davis. Delete.

Steve Smith. Delete.

They could at least pick cooler names if they’re going to drain Earth of water!

Lilly Hollow. Del—Lilly Hollow? I know that name.

She’s an icon in the business world, making Forbes 30 under 30 at twenty-three for starting her first publishing company from scratch. She’s got to be in her forties now, and Hell & Hollow is her latest venture—a woman owned and operated Boston based publishing company specializing in the dark romance genre.

I’ve gotten lots of PR from them. I’m a huge fan.

The email’s from [email protected], and it’s definitely not spam.

Hi Jo,

My name’s Lilly Hollow. I’m the owner and CEO of Hell & Hollow publishing in Boston, Massachusetts.

I’m so sorry to send this to your Hex email, but I didn’t have any luck getting through to you on your personal, and I’m hoping I can chat with you!

I’ve been following HexedHeroine since the very beginning, before Hell & Hollow became what it is now. Your brand is fierce, sexy, and my favorite kind of naughty, but most importantly, it’s empowering.

A few months ago, a friend of mine in the marketing world sent me a networking profile of a woman she thought would be the perfect fit for a position I’m looking to fill. I know it’s not necessary to tell you how impressive your resume is, but I have to—I love seeing a fellow alternative chick kick ass and take names in the male-dominated Corporate America.

You can imagine my shock, as a fan of Hex, to find out with the rest of the world that this girl I’d emailed about a job weeks prior, is the woman behind the mask of the internet’s favorite book influencer.

Before I ramble forever and scare you off, I want you to know that whatever you decide to do next, I’ll be following as a fan.

But I think Hell & Hollow needs someone like you.