Page 35 of Taken By Sin

“Magnolia,” I respond, taking her hand in mine.

“Oh!” She beams, plucking a neon mask wearing, ab-clad cover from a nearby shelf. “Have you read this one?”

I shake my head. “No…” I draw out. It’s a dark romance called Mayhem Carnival filled with monsters.

Max nudges Violet’s arm. “She’s kind of a curious case. Sheltered.” He winks.

I roll my eyes at him as Violet inquires. “I’m new to this world basically.”

She doesn’t question it; she merely shrugs with a smile and links her arm through mine. “Well, since you’ve become my new favorite customer, come with me.”

I try to keep her pace as we race down the staircase and rush behind the bar.

“Do you like coffee?” she asks in an upbeat attitude. Max rounds the corner, nearly panicked from me exiting the room so abruptly. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that.

“I do!” I smile, ignoring the annoyance in Max’s eyes. “I think you may have had a lot of it already.” I laugh as she bounces on her heels.

“Nope! This is pure, chaotic energy. Just wait until I get some caffeine in me. I’ll be unstoppable!”

I observe her crafting a bubbling, smoky mixture resembling a potion. “This is something I’ve been working on.”

Her smile is infectious.Sheis infectious. “It looks magical!”

“Exactly!” She hands me the mug, and I’m surprised thatit’s cold. I would assume with all of the smoke that it would be hot. “Dry ice.” She grins. “It’s a lavender latte, cooled with dry ice!”

I take a sip, relishing in the cool, crisp floral flavors that dance on my tongue. “It is magic,” I say again.

“I just can’t think of a name.”

Max lets out a long, winded breath. “We’re ready, Magnolia.”

“Magnolia!” she beams. “Great job…” She tilts her head.

“Maxwell.” He smiles.

“Maxy Waxy,” she decides. “The drink is floral, magical. Magnolia’s Magic.” She snickers.

A blush tinges my cheeks. “I don’t know about that; I mean, it’s lavender,” I try to persuade her into something else.

“Don’t even worry!” She grabs a nearby chalkboard and brushes the prior words with the sleeve of her crimson sweater. Streaks of blue and pink slide across the fabric. She is chaotic, and I kind of like it. “We have specials every week, so this will just be here a short time!” Grabbing a piece pink chalk, she writes out:

Magnolia’s Magic.

Lavender latte iced

$7

With a magical potion that is definitely not poison.

*It’sjust dry ice*

Laughter bubbles up in me. “I’m honored,” I tell her as Max walks up beside me. “It was so good to meet you, and I’m sure I’ll be back! I love this café so much! Have a good day!” I wave, looking around Max for my bounty. The stacks of my books have all disappeared. “Where are they?”

“Thank you, Magnolia! Come in anytime this week for a free drink in your honor.” She winks.

Max dust his hands. “Detail already came by and picked them up.”

I punch his arm. “Can’t protect me from the big bad wolves out there with books in your hands?”

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