Page 133 of Midnights
I might be able to ignore my feelings for Kane, but what Ican’tignore, are all the strange things that keep happening to me lately. No matter how hard I try to write them off as coincidences, they just keep piling up. The tingling in my hands, for starters. Then we have the dreams.Vivid, and way too real.All those memories that suddenly feel like I’m live-streaming them in HD are starting to freak me out.
And let’s not forget the flickering lights.That’s normal, right?Probably just faulty wiring. Scotland is old, after all.
There’s also the persistent feeling that I’m being watched. I keep telling myself it’s paranoia, but deep down, I don’t really believe in coincidences.
I sigh, shaking my head at Kane’s text.If only bullseyes and inflated egos were the only things I had to deal with right now.
The Uber pulls to a slow stop in front of the diner where I’m supposed to meetMike Wazowski. The driver looks at me in the mirror with his eyebrows raised, clearly waiting for me to get out.
“Do you mind if we just sit here for a few minutes?” I shift my gaze back to the diner.
He nods, smiling. “Aye, take yer time.”
I lean back against the seat, blowing out a long breath as I scan the small restaurant through the window. It’s probably just nerves, but I need a second to clear my head.
For someone who was so insistent on this meeting,Big Mikedidn’t want to meet in his office. Oh no. He insisted on keeping itcasual, claiming he didn’t want things to feel too formal since I’m technically on vacation.
From the outside, the place looks like one of those small, locally-owned diners that probably serves the best damn pancakes in town. Too bad I’m not planning on eating a full meal, since I’ve already got dinner plans. The last thing I need is to be too stuffed to enjoy whatever place Rachel picks.
Oh my God.I don’t actually know what this guy looks like.
“UGGGHHH.Thisis why I meet people in their office.” I mutter to myself, fumbling for my phone.
My stress level is officially at DEFCON 1.
I roll my eyes, still scanning my phone, when a sharp knock on the window makes me jump.
My phone launches out of my hand, vanishing into the dark void between the seats. I slap my palm over my chest like a jump-scare victim in a bad horror movie.
Whipping around, I’m ready to cuss out whoever did that, but instead, I freeze.
There's a man outside my window. And not just any man—the kind of stupidly attractive that should come with a warning label. His attempt at an apologetic smile only makes him look more dangerous. Figures.
He's got that golden-boy thing going. His dirty blonde hair is tousled, his jawline is outlined by stubble like he practiced in the mirror. It's the kind oflook that gets people to trust you without question. Which makes me trust him even less.
Deep, piercing blue eyes catch mine, and I can see a spark of amusement there like he's already won some game I didn't agree to play. They shouldn't be that distracting, but paired with his broad shoulders that are currently stretching his suit to its limits…he looks like the type who spends too much time in the gym.
Maybe he just wrestles Highland cattle for fun. Either way, it works, and I don’t hate it.
His grin widens, as if this is the funniest thing that’s happened to him all day.Can’t say the same.
“So sorry, love.” His voice is effortlessly smooth, and laced with an accent that could charm a nun. “Didn’t mean to scare you.”
What the actual hell is happening right now?
The Uber driver glances at me in the mirror, looking confused. “You alright? Do you know him?”
“Oh! I'm fine, sorry. Thank you!” I reply quickly, willing my voice to sound steadier than I feel. My heart is still hammering against my ribs, and I’m about two seconds away from dissolving into a puddle of embarrassment.
Rolling the window down, I hear him repeat himself. “So sorry, really. But are you Raven?”
The sound of my name coming from his mouth sends a flicker of unease through me.How does he know who I am?
My brain finally kicks into gear as the missing pieces snap into place.
“Uh-yes, that’s me,” I stutter, still trying to catch up. “Sorry, you just caught me off guard… are you Mike?”
“Yeah.” He flashes a sheepish but confident smile. “I saw you sitting here and thought it might be you, so I figured I’d come check.”
