Page 40 of Insidious Heart
She smiles warmly at me. “Hi. I don’t mean to be rude or anything, but I just had to tell you that I love your scrub top.”
I blink at her, her bright green eyes shining and expectant, then look down at my top because I don’t actually know what she’s talking about. It clicks then, though.
“Thanks.” I give her a shy smile. “Kermit is my favorite.”
“I love The Muppets. Everything Treasure Island and older, anyway.”
My smile grows. “Me too. The show was the best.”
“Right?” She beams as she slides into the booth across from me. “My girlfriends and I binge the hell out of it at Sofie’s house almost monthly. Those guest stars were so awesome. Vincent Price was my favorite, but there were so many amazing people on that show.”
I nod slowly as I take another drink in order to try to hide how creepy it is for me to stare at her. I can’t help it though, not really. Aside from Linnie, people don’t just start conversations with me. That’s probably more my fault than theirs, but even with my hair covering most of my scar, I’m not super approachable and I know that. I’m too quiet and shy, too scared or paranoid most of the time to even attempt conversation on my own, and I ultimately know making a friend outside of the MC—where I have zero friends anyway—is pointless. The only reason I’m friends with Linnie is because we’ve worked together for years and anyone else that might want to take a stab at it typically doesn’t because of the vibes I throw.
Vibes I’ve probably acquired by association considering the company I’m forced to keep.
Or maybe the vibes I’ve always had since I’m fucked up enough to have sex with a super hot murderer while the body of the guy he murdered was still in the room. And developing a serious crush on that murderer probably doesn’t help my case either.
Oh well.
“I like the one with Peter Sellers. And Alice Cooper.”
The purple-haired girl smiles even brighter, the piercings in her cheeks creating dimples there. “Alice Cooper… so good.”
This chick is super pretty. Funky hair, green eyes, curvy as hell figure decked out in some edgy, fun, and very loud outfit. Her t-shirt has a logo on it:The Dollhouse.And while I doubt it is a toy store, I could see her working in one. She throws good vibes and I really like it.
“I’m Ember, by the way.”
I set my coffee down and try to return her smile. “Stevie.”
Ember’s eyes light up. “Stevie?”
I nod with a frown.
“Oh my gosh, this is crazy!”
“What is?”
“I’mEmber, Ember Rollins!”
“Ok…”
She points to her shirt then leans toward me. “Ember Rollins, strip club floor manager by night and Secret Passions consultant… also by night I guess,” she says as she giggles. “Linnie books parties with me.”
“Oh!” I giggle a little too. “Sorry. I guess Linnie hasn’t ever really said your name before.”
“That sounds about right.” Ember sighs. “But she’s said yours enough, and since I haven’t met another Stevie, I had to assume you’retheStevie.”
That makes me blush. And strikes me a little odd. I know Linnie is my work friend and she’s always trying to get me to go out with her, but I didn’t think we were close enough for her to tell her other friends about me. I guess that’s kind of flattering, in a creepy sort of way.
And the fact that I’m creeped out definitely supports the fact that I truly have no friends or any idea how to make them.
“I guess I am then.”
Ember nods. “I was bummed that she canceled her party Friday, I was really looking forward to meeting you.”
Now I’m frowning again.
I had no idea Linnie canceled her party. Or why Ember would still think I was going after I told Linnie I had fake plans.
