Free ODDILY by Linda Pohring

“You appear as though you’re pouting all the time—it’s cute.”
    Oddily’s response intrigued him. She laughed with childlike abandon, as if she genuinely thought he had said something funny. Even with Oddily glancing at the menu, Maxim continued to look her over with interest and curiosity, hardly wanting to believe this fragile girl sitting across from him didn’t take him seriously.
    “ I think maybe you are my Prince Charming. No—I know you are.” Oddily’s large, dreamy eyes gazed up into his face, acting giddy with girlishness.
    “ Oh I am, am I,” Maxim leaned back in his chair and tried to hide his surprise over her sudden revelation, while a fountain of laughter threatened to flood his senses.
    “ Yes,” her face continued to maintain that crooked smile of hers, “and it doesn’t even matter what you prefer, because you have no choice in the matter.”
    “ And why is that?” Maxim barely could choke out the question.
    “ Because none of this is real,” she waved her dainty hand in the air to include the entire restaurant full of people.
    A blank stare fell across Maxim’s handsome face as she continued. “This is just a game, and I don't want it to end,” she sighed, looking dreamily up at his frozen expression.
    “ You think you’re in a game?” He tried to wrap his mind around what she implied.
    “ Yes,” Oddily cocked her head to the side. “I can do anything I want, and nothing can harm me.”
    “ Excuse me,” Maxim abruptly got to his feet and walked over to another corner of the garden. While trying to calm down, he telepathically called out to his sister.
    While Oddily waited for him to return, she eyed a chocolate cake with fudge icing served at the table two rows over.
    Oddily’s stomach growled in response. She got up and strolled over to the other table and asked the female guest for a bite of the mouth-watering dessert.
    “ Get your own damn piece of cake—Waitress!”
    “ What a good idea,” Oddily smiled brightly at the appalled woman.
    When Oddily couldn’t get the attention of the waitress who busily tried to calm the disgruntled woman, she walked behind the counter and slid, unnoticed through the revolving doors, leading to the kitchen area. The three tiered cart full of desserts was easy to find and Oddily started to sample them with her finger. The first flavor was just okay, but the second one tasted delicious. She carefully picked up the whole cake and carried it through the revolving door, heading back to her seat.
    “ Excuse me miss, you can’t do that!” The manager had caught up with her before she reached her table.
    “ I can do anything I please.” Oddily grinned at the man’s reddened face.
    Maxim was busy talking with his sister in their usual mind-reading way, and if anyone could have listened in on the ethereal dialect, this was what they would have overheard.
    Nexa, Maxim tried to calm his mind while he spoke.
    Max, you need to get a grip on yourself!
    Oddily thinks she’s still in a game. I don’t know why, but I’ve got to find out how this happened.
    Ditch her, and return home right now.
    It’s too dangerous to leave her like this, but I need to talk with you.
    I know.  I just read your mind, and we’ve got a problem!
    The commotion going on behind Maxim distracted him from his conversation with Nexa. He turned his head, and noticed the manager standing over Oddily, trying to take a cake away from her without much luck. Oddily didn’t seem to be cooperating, and the room full of onlookers made it impossible for him to remain inconspicuous.
    Against better judgment, Maxim reached Oddily’s side and graciously offered an apology before purchasing the tampered dessert. Then, he grabbed Oddily’s arm and led her out to his car. He had opened the car door for her, and was about to climb in himself when someone addressed him.
    “ Excuse me sir,” Maxim stopped and turned around. “Please, Sir, I’m so sorry to bother you again,