Chapter 1

The passenger-side door was wide open.

Chloe had her legs shamelessly propped up on the center console, her combat boots resting against the dashboard. She was chewing gum and holding my favorite travel mug, looking completely unapologetic.

“Oh, Sienna, you’re here? Sorry! I get really carsick, so I have to sit in the front. Logan and I are practically brothers. You don’t mind, do you?”

Logan was sitting in the driver’s seat, peeling an orange for her. At her words, he looked up at me with a slight frown.

“What took you so long? Chloe’s been waiting forever. There’s plenty of room in the back. Just sit there. Don’t be so petty.”

I stood outside the car, the cold wind stinging my cheeks.

This wasn’t the first time.

Ever since Chloe had returned from overseas, I’d become the third wheel in what was supposed to be the three of us.

She needed Logan to take care of her drinks whenever we went out to eat, carry her shopping bags whenever we went shopping, and even call Logan in the middle of the night just because she couldn’t sleep and wanted someone to talk to.

She always had the same excuse:

“It’s guy friendship. Women just don’t get it.”

I was about to speak when Mochi suddenly squirmed in my arms.

A young but deeply mocking voice exploded inside my head.

“Ugh! What a load of crap! She isn’t carsick at all! She’s thinking, ‘That idiot Sienna will probably swallow her anger again. I love watching her act like such a doormat. Once we get there, I’m going to pretend I’m drunk and fall into Logan’s arms just to piss her off!’”

My entire body went rigid.

I looked down at Mochi.

The black cat was staring daggers at Chloe with its golden, slit-pupil eyes, its tail flicking irritably.

The voice continued:

“Human, are you stupid? You’re still not going to slap her? She’s got a lace sleep mask she just bought hidden in her bag. She’s planning to use it when we go camping tonight! Oh, and throw away that stupid travel mug. She spit in it!”

My mind went completely blank.

Mind reading? My cat can actually talk to me?

Chloe grew impatient when I didn’t move.

“Sienna, hurry up. Everyone’s waiting. It’s just a seat. Do you really have to make such a big deal out of it?”

Logan’s expression hardened too.

“Sienna, can you be reasonable for once? Chloe’s just straightforward. She’s not like other women who are always playing mind games. Stop reading so much into everything she does.”

Straightforward?

Spitting in someone’s cup was straightforward? Hiding a lace sleep mask was straightforward?

The anger I’d been suppressing for so long finally erupted after hearing Mochi’s words.

I took a deep breath and stepped forward.

I snatched the travel mug from Chloe’s hand.

Then I tipped my wrist and splashed the remaining half cup of lukewarm water straight into her face.

“Ah!”

Chloe screamed and nearly jumped out of her seat.

Logan’s face went pale as he hurriedly grabbed some tissues to wipe her face.

“Sienna, are you crazy?!”

I stared at them coldly and dropped the empty mug onto the ground.

“My hand slipped. Since you’re so carsick, you might as well stay home. Wouldn’t want you throwing up all over the car and making everyone sick.”

With that, I turned around, Mochi still in my arms.

“I’m not riding in this car. You two best friends can catch up without me.”

Behind me came Logan’s furious roar.

“Sienna, stop! If you walk away today, don’t bother coming back!”

I didn’t stop.

Mochi purred happily in my arms.

“That’s more like it, Human! See that convenience store up ahead? Turn left and go inside. Buy a scratch-off ticket. Get the ten-dollar ones, and take the third ticket from the top of the first book.”

I walked into the convenience store, half believing my cat and half convinced I’d lost my mind.

Following Mochi’s instructions, I bought the scratch-off ticket.

The moment I scratched away the silver coating with a coin, I saw the number underneath.

My hand trembled.

$2,000.

“Holy crap…”

I couldn’t help swearing under my breath.

This wasn’t a stray cat.

This was my personal lucky charm!