Page 13 of The Bleeding Hearts Club

“Yes, and it’s very sad. He had a terrible life.”

“I’m sure he tried to make the best of it though. Staying up all night rambling on about hallucinations giving him the best ideas for his stories. Especially that one about the crow—”

“Raven.”

“Raven.” I state, my smile full on at this point.

“What about you, then, Mr. Snarky Ass?”

“Me?”

“You got any pets that I can make fun of you for?”

“Uh…ha, I have a dog,” I stutter. “Only once a month though.”

God, Emmett would kill me for even saying this much. He’d also kill me for calling him a dog, but tomato, to-mah-toe.

“Oh? Do you share it with someone? Have your puppy custody stolen?”

Yeah, death. Instant death by my best friend. But, hey, dogs are man’s best friend right? I snort to myself.

“You could say that.”

* * *

Tonight is the first large activity scheduled for the week: Speed Dates. How is it going you may ask? Terribly. Awful. Throw me into a dumpster and set it on fire.

I’ve suffered through three twenty-minute conversations and I can say that, if I hadn’t met Mina, this whole week may have been a waste of time. Like, okay, yes I get it, you want to get laid. I, too, want to get laid, but the fact that two out of the three “dates” so far consisted of two, extremely, over-the-top beautiful women trying to play footsie and grope me in between uncreative innuendos, is just…uncomfortable. They are definitely going on the “No” list as soon as I am back in my room.

My only saving grace has been replaying the events of earlier in the day with Mina. I love to fight with her, seeing all that passion and steadfastness. Her face was utterly priceless when we walked back to the hotel and learned we were on the same floor.

* * *

Mina’s hips swayed with each step she took through the tree line back to the hotel. Her cheeks were rosy and a thin sheen of sweat coated her skin. Mina was glowing in the heat and sun, a goddess of beauty sent to torment me, tempt me in all the ways I knew would be devastating.

I really don’t know what it is about this one girl. This human girl. Maybe it’s because she sees me. Mina doesn’t let anything past her, so all of my jokes, no matter how amazing, don’t affect her like others. I have to work harder for her, not because she is difficult, but because she knows what she’s worth, and I have to put in that effort to be sure that I am worthy of her.

The doorman smiles at us as we pass through, leaving a trail of sand in our wake.

“I’m so screwed. Why didn’t you tell me what time it was?” she asked me, anger dripping from her tone.

“How was I supposed to know you were on a tight schedule?” I roll my eyes at her as she pushes the button for the elevator.

“You have an activity at 3 o’clock too, idiot. It’s 2:50!” Mina crosses her arms, her hip popping out.

Jesus, help me.

“Yes, and? It won’t take like five minutes to get ready. What’s the big deal?”

She stares at me, her face completely blank, but her mind is a very different story.

Fucking idiot. Ridiculous.

“Five minutes to get ready” my ass.

It takes me five minutes to get out of this fucking bikini.

Mina takes a deep breath, leveling her gaze my way.