I knew it was stupid. Pulling up to a random corner shop just to see my Monster on the shelf?

“But whatever. I’d just come from MTC. I was exhausted but honestly? Way too stoked.”

Ash was filming, because obviously he was. I walked in like it was a red carpet.

“Hello hello,” I grinned at the girl behind the counter. “How are you? Sorry about the camera.”

She barely looked up. Just nodded. Chill. Pretty.

Okay.

Fridge. Two cans. Boom. Easy.

I dropped them on the counter, proud as hell. “Big moment.”

She raised a brow. “You sure? These’ve been here since Monday. A kid came in asking if it was watermelon-flavored and walked out with a Sprite.”

…Excuse me?

Ash wheezed. I stood there, staring at her like she’d just smacked me with the can.

“Tough crowd,” I muttered, trying not to laugh.

She scanned the drinks, totally unbothered. “Want a receipt, Champ?”

Champ. That was new.

“You’re kinda mean,” I said.

She shrugged. “You showed up just to find out nobody really buys it.”

Okay. Rude. Also? Hot.

I handed her my card. “Gonna need a name. Just in case I file a customer complaint.”

She gave me the bag. “It’s on the receipt.”

I checked.

No name.

I looked up, and she was already watching me. Calm. Confident. Like she knew exactly what she was doing.

“Right,” I said, still holding the receipt. “So you’re one of those girls.”

She tilted her head. “And what kind is that?”

I smirked. Took a step back. Stopped.

“The kind that makes a guy want to come back tomorrow… just in case she changes her mind.”

And I didn’t leave.

Not yet.