Page 87 of Feverburn

“Frozen hot chocolate? What kind of witchcraft is that?”Otto asked.

“How ‘bout I make it for you, and you see for yourself.”

He studied the menu wearily. I could tell I was about to lose him, and I didn’t want him to go to a gas station and have aheartattack. I sweetened the deal and added,“I will put somesecretsauce in it.”

He glowered at the menu, then at my cleavage. It jiggled with how I shifted my weight from foot to foot. Then he grumbled an affirmative noise.

While I made his drink, I let him give me the run down about Summerfest. I guess a cover band was playing Elvis one moment and Van Halen the next. He wanted them to ‘pick a fucking theme.’

Carson walked up to my counter when he left, loving mytorture.“I’d like to order TheValakas.”

I fought a smile.

“I miss theDirtyReno,”he teased, glancing to ensure Otto left.“Magissa, we’ve been together for months. When are you going to change it back?”

“In my defense, you deserved it.”

He chewed the inside of his cheek and fiddled with my beaded bracelets. “You might want to keep that name a bit longer. I have good news and bad news.”

“Hit me.”

“Good news, it’s top-secretinfo, but Harley is proposing to Kaylee in a matter of days.”

I squealed and covered my mouth.“Shut up! That’s so cute!”

“Bad news, I don’t think we should steal their thunder.”He cringed.

“Carson!”I flung my rag down in outrage.

“I have no control over this! And in my defense, you’re the one who didn’t want to say something back in June.”

I gritted back a growl.

He held up his hands and said,“Nice kitty.”

My nostrils flared.“I had my reasons.”

“But we could’ve told Kaylee and Harley.”

“I wasn’t ready.”

He blinked wearily. “Well, waiting had a cost.”

“You’re saying since I wanted to keep thisprivateand go at my own pace, I’m now suffering the consequences?”I made his drink to distract myself. With my back to him, I grumbled,“We broke thecursea week ago.”

“But that’s just it. We’re safe. What’s a couple of weeks? Put yourself in Kaylee’s shoes.”

I scoffed.“I am sick of thinking of Kaylee! And molding my life around her! And scuttling around so she doesn’t know.”

“Scuttling?”he said incredulously.

“Don’t change the subject!”I slid the cup across the counter with a scowl.

“Rosie, baby, I’m so sorry. It’s just a matter of timing.”

“I’m scared it’s going to be awkward now. I don’t know how to break it to Kaylee now that it’s gone on for so long. But we can’t keep living like this. Don’t you want your mom to know about us? What is going to become of us in six months? Moresecretcabin rendezvous? Kisses in dark hallways, hiding my car in your garage? Don’t you want everyone to know already?”

“I do. More than anything. Please, don’t cry.”

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