Page 18 of Crazy Thing

With huge pink flowers, bright yellow smiley faces and multi-colored peace symbols stenciled all over the purple paint job. The nameLady Tourmalineis printed above the front windshield.What an eyesore.

The oversized vehicle makes an awful sound, one that I can even hear over the bar’s blaring music. It makes my ears ring.

I feel a scowl form on my mouth, annoyed at the sight of the bus entering the bar’s parking lot. But when I notice that the driver is trying to squeeze that big, ugly thing into the spot right next to my luxury sedan, my temper snaps.

Without a second thought, I bolt for the door and take the stairs two at a time down to the bar’s main level. Nolan’s cook gives me a wide-eyed look as I sprint past the kitchen and push my way out into the parking lot.

Oh, if they put even a hairline scratch on my paint job, this lunatic better be ready to pay big time…

But before I make it across the parking lot, the driver parks without incident. No scratches.

Still, I’m already fired up. So I march up to the bus, ready to curse the driver out about parking so damn close to my vehicle. Come on. If you’re going to drive a big-ass boat around, can’t you at least park at the back of the lot?

Before I can get my tirade started, the door pops open, and my jaw flaps wide. It’s Ziggy Beaumont descending from the vehicle.

Correction:an angry Ziggy Beaumont.

My chest constricts at the mere sight of her. Angry or not, it makes little difference. This woman is a fairy goddess and I can’t help the overpowering effect she has on me.

My feet slow to a halt when she storms in my direction, hands curled into tight fists at her sides.

“You paid off my rent!” she accuses furiously, her blue eyes shooting fire at me from beneath the brim of her floppy hat.

The hell?That’s what she’s all fired up about?

My brow lifts slowly. “I did…”

Those pretty eyes go narrow. She tears the hat off her head, revealing silky, tangled pink hair. “What the hell kind of power trip are you on, Darius Brighton?”

I grunt. “What? Power trip?! How was that a power trip move? I’m trying to help you out, Ziggy.”

“I want to know why!” She huffs.“Why are you ‘helping’ me?” Her fingers draw air-quotes around the word.

Wow. This woman is a piece of work. I cannotbelieve she’s about to berate me for helping her.Well, fuck. I definitely didn’t see this coming.

I fold my arms across my chest, challenging her. “Maybe I just wanted to hear athank youfrom that rude mouth of yours.”

Sparks explode around her head. Fumes spill out of her ears.

Jeez. Why am I poking the bear?

“Oh, so you get off on the idea of making other people bow down to you? Huh?” Her tiny shoulders are practicallyvibrating, she’s so mad. “Well, guess what—I didn’t ask for your help.”

“Does the idea of losing your shop and getting kicked out on your ass turnyouon? Becausethatcan be arranged. Trust me.” I turn the tables back on her. See how she likes a taste of her own medicine.

Ziggy tucks her hat under her arm and stomps her foot. “What. Do. You. Want. From. Me?”

I give a mighty shrug, both of my shoulders rising and falling in exasperation. “I already told you. I just want to help.”

She scoffs, the sound dripping with sarcasm. “Like you want to help with the waterfall situation?”

I’m as serious as a heart attack when it comes to the waterfall. I let her know that. “Yes. I told you—I can fix the Edison problem. I can make it go away. Ifyouget the stubborn townsfolk to cooperate with me.”

Damn. I’m starting to think literally no one wants my help. Why is everyone making this so frigging hard?

Ziggy just rubs salt in the wound. “They don’t trust you. For good reason.”

“Well, you couldhelp themtrust me,” I point out.

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