Page 36 of Enchant Me

At first, he says nothing. Then I hear his soft exhalation. “We will,” he finally says. “And we do. I love you, baby.”

“That’s what I count on, Mr. Stark.”

I’m about to say goodbye when he adds, “I don’t know what this guy’s agenda is. Be careful.”

“Of course, I will,” I say, but I’ve seen enough to know that careful doesn’t always matter. “Call me when you know about the prints.”

“I will,” he says, and we end the call. I sit for a moment to gather myself. While I’m here, it’s about the kids, not our personal crises.

Damien and I were dating when he created the foundation to help abused and neglected children. It’s one of many charitable organizations in which he’s involved, and I became more active after I went public with my cutting. It wasn’t easy—my need for the blade had been a dark secret for so many years—but if I could help even one kid on the road to recovery from self-harm, I knew it would be worth it.

And I was right, too, I think, as I get out of the car and see Mellie racing toward me. “Nikki! Hey, I didn’t know you were going to be here today.”

“Paperwork and a meeting,” I tell her, accepting her enthusiastic hug. “And I was hoping I’d see you.” She’s a vibrant fifteen-year-old with a shock of red hair who came to the foundation about four years ago. Like me, she’s a cutter. And also like me, she has issues with her mother, who is currently serving time for assault. This year, she’s not only one of the foundation’s aid recipients, she’s also working as a summer camp buddy for the younger kids.

“What’s on your agenda today?” I ask her as we take a seat at one of the wooden picnic tables.

“I’m taking some of the ten and eleven-year-olds on a nature hike. Well, me and Adam are taking them.”

“Well, that’s nice,” I say, my intonation rising since I know perfectly well that she’s had a huge crush on Adam for ages.

To my surprise, she only shrugs. “I’m over him. Besides, he’s got a girlfriend.” She makes a face and surrounds the last word with air quotes.

“You okay?” I ask gently.

Mellie shrugs. “I guess. I mean, I’m not going to cut over him.”

My ears prick up at the emphasis on the last word. “Did you cut over something?”

“No!” She blurts out the word. “No, I swear I didn’t. I mean, yes, I thought about it, but it wasn’t even like an urge, you know? It was like a nod. Like, I used to do this, but fuck you, Mom, I’m not going to hurt myself because of you.” She clears her throat. “Sorry for the cursing.”

“Don’t worry about the cursing,” I tell her. “I just want to know that you’re okay.”

“I’m good. Really. Just stupid stuff when I visited my mom. But it’s cool. How about you?” she asks, turning to face me.

“I’m doing okay,” I tell her. “To be honest, I’m kind of proud of myself. We’ve had some nasty stuff happen this weekend—some people sending horrible texts about Damien and me—and I didn’t even think about it. Well,” I amend, “maybe a tiny bit, but I brushed it away, just like a gnat.”

“Good on you,” she says, then high-fives me. “I’m glad we were both strong,” she says. “Our moms were the reason we started, you know. For both of us, I mean. And anytime we cut it just gives them power.”

“You’re very wise for fifteen.”

“Not hardly. But I was thinking, I used to believe you must have it really great because of all that money. Yours and Mr. Stark’s, I mean. But I guess that’s not really true, huh?”

“It’s not the money that makes it great,” I tell her. “It’s Damien.”

She laughs, her cheeks turning rosy. “Yeah, I can see that. Your husband’s kinda hot, you know?”

I fight back a laugh. “Yeah,” I say. “I do.”

“It helps, you know?”

“Damien?” I ask.

“No. You. Having to fight the urge to cut and stuff like that. Just not being perfect.”

“Well, then I must be the biggest help in the world.”

Mellie laughs. “So, um, part of the reason I’m okay with Adam and his new girlfriend is … oh, man, I can’t believe I’m telling you this … but I’ve got a crush. And he’s so awesome and cute and —”