Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 24983 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 125(@200wpm)___ 100(@250wpm)___ 83(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24983 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 125(@200wpm)___ 100(@250wpm)___ 83(@300wpm)
Her wild eyes took in her surroundings, then she jumped to her feet and screeched, “They’re all MONSTERS!” as she sprinted away.
“I should have left her dead,” Maggie muttered as she climbed to her feet. On instinct, I held out my hand to help her, then quickly pulled my arm back in case she accidentally slid her palm against mine, and the next lifeless body at my feet was hers.
“I’m sorry,” I rasped, feeling completely helpless and dejected.
“Me too. But at least I was able to save her. Although, I won’t waste my magic on her a second time.”
I forced an amused smile, but Mags saw right through me. “It’s okay. At least I make myself laugh.”
That brought out a genuine chuckle, brightening her disposition. “I should probably grab some gloves,” I sighed, and she nodded, her expression sympathetic.
That was the last time I touched anyone, with or without gloves.
2
Juniper
I’d only been on this trip with my parents for a day, and I was already bored out of my gourd. My dad disappeared first thing this morning, so I’d been stuck hanging out with my mom, which wasn’t my favorite thing to do. She and I didn’t have much in common, and I would’ve been much happier going camping than wandering the streets of some random town while she shopped to her heart’s delight.
She’d spent a ridiculous amount of money, but she was still cranky when we returned to the rental house a few hours ago. Ordering dinner in from a Spanish tapas restaurant and polishing off an entire bottle of wine hadn’t helped, either. She still had a squinty look on her beautiful face as she leaned back in her chair across the table from me.
“Remember that darling hair salon we saw in town today?” My mom’s nose wrinkled as she looked at my lavender-tinted blond locks. “I could call to see if they have any openings for tomorrow.”
If the offer had been made out of kindness, I might have taken her up on it. But she had been quite vocal about how much she disapproved of my new hair color, so I knew she only mentioned it because she was hoping I’d dye it something more normal. “I don't think that's a good idea. I wouldn’t want to hurt my hair stylist’s feelings by cheating on her.”
My mom’s lips pressed into a firm line. I knew she was holding back an angry reply, but it wasn’t as though she could say much when she kept quiet every time my dad cheated on her. She only stayed with him because her priorities were messed up, which was why I refused to let her disappointment get to me.
Finally, she let out a little huff. “Fine, I suppose I’ll eventually get used to this new look.”
“I don’t know…I was thinking about changing it up again when we get home.” I wagged my brows. “Maybe I’ll go with a rainbow look this time.”
“Rainbow?” she echoed with a shriek, her eyes going wide. “How will you ever find a husband if you insist upon walking around looking like a freak?”
“I don’t need a husband, Mom. I haven’t even finished college yet.” Not that I cared much about getting my degree, which was why I hadn’t bothered to apply to a four-year degree program yet. I was just taking classes online through a local college because it kept my dad off my back. He controlled the purse strings, and I couldn’t afford to make him too mad until after I figured out what I wanted to do with my life. “You know how important getting an education is to Dad.”
My father was the perfect shield against my mom, so I wasn’t surprised when she backed down. Only about my hair, though. Since her identity was completely wrapped up in her husband’s, she couldn’t understand why I wasn’t focused on going to a prestigious school and getting my MRS degree like she’d been when she met my dad in college. “That doesn’t mean you can’t look your best in case you meet someone appropriate. Or even just so you don’t embarrass your dad in front of his business associates.”
“How would I get the chance to embarrass Dad?” My brows drew together as I rolled my eyes. “We’re on vacation.”
Crossing her thin arms over her chest, she arched a brow. “Who do you think he’s golfing with today?”
“No clue.” I assumed his tee time was an excuse to get some alone time, especially since it was well past dark and he hadn’t returned to our vacation rental house yet.
“One of his biggest clients has a second home here, so your father thought our little trip was the perfect opportunity to socialize with him in a more relaxed setting.”
I finally understood why they’d wanted to spend our vacation in a town I’d never heard of before. This trip wasn’t really a family vacation. It was an excuse for my dad to schmooze some rich guy he wanted to impress. Same old story, just in a different town. “I see.”