MISHA SAT AROUND THE table at Slice of Life Pizza, the slice of veggi pizza in front of her untouched for the most part as Vasily, Marigold, and Cindy caught Carson up on her life since she moved to Black Hollow. She groaned at most of the stories and laughed at the others, embarrassment reddening her cheeks as she covered her face with her hand. “Stop!” she pleaded, still laughing. “You’re making me seem funnier than I am.”
“Oh, no way,” Marigold said, giggling. “These stories are too good to not share. Don’t worry, we all know what a stoic, hardass you are. We won’t ruin your image.”
“Good, because I’ve worked hard to earn that,” Misha said. “It keeps people away from me.”
After their tender moment at the gazebo, Misha left him so she could help Vasily out at the pet store. She made p
