Page 85 of Death and Do-Overs

A mix of emotions filled my middle, swirling and pulsing. I was as ready as I’d ever be.

I scrolled through the text chain to the closest clear photo Imogen had taken prior to capturing the image of the fox. I turned the screen for Levi to see.

“Lucky for us, we start here,” I said.

“Fortuitous indeed.”

We left the cafe and headed the same direction Imogen and I had gone yesterday when she’d first arrived. It was hard to believe so little time had passed. This was only my third day in Nevermore, even though it had felt like three weeks. Part of it had to be stress, the rest could be blamed on lack of sleep.

That was probably why I’d kissed Levi—exhaustion-induced delirium. No way should I be held responsible for my actions when I was so tired and disoriented.

“How did you and Imogen meet?” Levi asked.

“She invaded my brain and took over my body,” I said.

He slowed his pace and blinked at me. “That’s horrible.”

“It was,” I agreed. “But don’t judge her too harshly. She’s actually as ridiculously sweet as she seems. If anyone is made of marshmallow, it’s her.”

“That doesn’t sound sweet at all.”

“I hated her for it at first,” I said.

“Anyone would.”

“But then I got to know her.”

“You’re more forgiving than I would be.”

“I didn’twantto forgive her. It was inevitable.”

“How so?”

“Well, she only did it because she was scared. She needed a way to meet Wendy.”

“Your lych friend.” He nodded.

“Yep. She owns the animal shelter where we all work.”

“Your marshmallow is showing again.” He grinned a charming grin.

I rolled my eyes. “So at the time, Wendy didn’t know she was a witch or what was going on with her. I hadn’t cloned myself or been exposed to magic at all. Imogen bodysnatches me to introduce herself to Wendy, from what she considers a safe distance.”

“In your shoes, I’d still hate Imogen at this point.”

“I did. But she didn’t know that I would experience being a prisoner in my own body. At that time, from Imogen’s point of view no one had a memory of the experience at all.”

“Still hating her.”

“She apologized profusely. She groveled. She brought me donuts.”

“Ah, now we’re getting to the heart of it. I’m making a mental note that if I ever offend you in the future, the key to your heart isn’t candy. It’s sugary fried treats.”

It was a joke, lighthearted in nature. Yet, the part that stuck out to me was one he likely didn’t intend—he could still hurt me at a later date. That only worked if I let him in. I could still stop doing that, right now, by shutting down this get-to-know-you nonsense.

“There’s nothing else to tell,” I said with a finality I hoped would end all conversation.

“Imogen seems devoted to making you happy now, helping you any way she can,” Levi said. “Those kinds of friends are once-in-a-lifetime, if we’re lucky.”

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