Page 22 of Bewitching Her Monsters

“Clumsy? Really?” Maxum perks up. “How so?”

“He knocked over a picture of my ex. Didn’t seem to like him either.” I laugh to lighten the subject.

“Well, sometimes I think Beast likes to get into trouble.”

“He’s been no trouble. I’ll be sad to see him go.”

Maxum grunts at that for some reason.

The server brings over our coffees. I pour some cream and add a spoonful of sugar, whereas Maxum drinks his black.

“When do you think your friend will come and get him?”

He stares at me over the rim of his coffee mug while slowly taking a sip. Then he says, “Beast should be out of your hair by the end of the day. I hope.”

That sounds shady. I don’t like that he sounds like a neglectful owner. “Uh… Whywouldn’tyour friend come get his dog?”

Maxum shrugs. “He has an on-call job that is sporadic. I’d take the mutt off your hands, but he didn’t seem like he wanted to leave just yet.”

“Okay.” Something’s odd about all of this, but I can’t put my finger on what it could be. It feels like Maxum is skirting some truth. I wonder if the owner’s unavailability has something to do with what made them all tense last night.

I really want to ask him, but I’m worried that might be too invasive, especially over a brunch date. But I think I might be part cat, and curiosity gets the better of me.

“I’ve never seen you or your friends at the bar before.”

His eyes narrow just a fraction, and while he recovers quickly, I still notice. Coming from a volatile upbringing, I’m ever-vigilant for signs that I’ve displeased someone. Not that it’s served me well at avoiding someone’s wrath since I don’t often stop whatever I’m doing to piss them off.

“I’m not trying to pry.” I play off my curiosity. “It’s just that I go there all the time. I was only wondering if one of the guys you were with owned Beast.”

He takes another sip of his coffee, and it appears as if he’s debating how to answer me. Which, again, is so weird. “He’s one of my friends from last night,” he says cryptically.

I try to lighten the mood. “Let me guess… the guy on the end bouncing his knee?”

Maxum stiffens his shoulders. “And why would you guess it was him?”

“He seemed sort of… upset, distracted,” I explain. “If anyone was going to lose their animal, it would be someone who was distracted.”

“True,” he agrees succinctly.

I can tell now that he’s not enjoying our conversation anymore.

“I shouldn’t have pried, but I was curious who I should expect to show up on my doorstep.”

The server places our plates in front of us. “Two scrambles. Can I get you anything else?”

“I’m good,” I say.

But Maxum asks for hot sauce and relaxes in his seat again. “Why were you staring at us last night? Taking pictures?”

Dammit. I was hoping he wouldn’t call me out like this.

“Uh. I don’t think it comes as a surprise to hear that you are good-looking. And your friends are as well.” I clear my throat. I won’t be able to eat until I deal with this.

Did he wait until after we got our food to ask me about my gawking? So I couldn’t just leave? But if I have to leave without eating, that’s what I’m going to do.

However, I feel compelled to explain my behavior. “I feel like the biggest creep. You all are hot enough that you should be on the covers of romance novels. I’ve been a bit stuck in my writing. And it was as though you were some divine inspiration. I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable. Anyway, none of the photos even came out!”

I pull my phone out to show him the pics and confirm I have nothing to show my friends or the internet in general. But my phone instantly dies after I show him the first blurry image. “Huh, I thought I charged my phone all the way last night.”

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