Beatty grabbed Hemlock’s elbow. “How do you do that?” “Do what?” “Talk to men that way. Like they’re…” “Idiots?” Hemlock suggested. “No, like they’re not intimidating.” “Because they’re not.” “To me, they are. My tongue gets all tied up in knots half the time.” “Only half the time?” “Well, yes, because the other half of the time I can’t find my voice at all. You know how Moona transforms into a woman of the sea? Well, I turn into some kind of squeaky mouse. It’s pathetic.” “Do you want to know my secret?” Hemlock said, dipping her head toward the much shorter woman. “Yes! Please!” Beatty said
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