Never Marry a Warlock by Tiffany Turner Page B

was it Jed?” The guy next to me nodded. “It just sucks.” I took another sip of the port. I had to get a grip. But at least, if I said it out loud, it might help. I closed my eyes, still seeing Cassandra entwined in Rich’s arms. “He was with my best friend.”
    Jed whistled in response. “Better make that a double for her, Alan. I’ll catch the tab.” He leaned into me. He seemed like an ordinary guy, complete with baseball cap, plaid shirt, and jeans. Not remarkable, but a solid ear to listen.
    I snorted as I lifted my glass to clink with his. “It’s been a shitty day. But I’ve got my health.” I raised my glass after the bartender poured me another shot. At least, I had my hide, but I had one pissed off warlock that might be on my ass in a few hours. I’d eventually have to deal with him. But hell, it had been a bad day. I looked around at the cowboy décor of the bar. Willie Nelson was playing on the stereo in the background. Amazing what you miss when you’re distracted by emotions.
    “So,” Jed said as the bartender walked away. He gave me an up and down look. “What kind of man would do that to a fine kind of lady like you? Is he nuts?”
    I smiled. I’d like to wrap something around Rich’s neck. I considered wrapping his nuts, but I knew they wouldn’t be big enough. I tried to block the memory of Cassandra with him. I remember him doing the same thing to me. I closed my eyes. “Damn it, why does it have to hurt so much? We’ve only been together a year.”
    “Shit, that is rough. Cheating that early. You are better off without him.” Jed put his hand on my shoulder.
    I nodded and sipped my drink, the syrup texture glided down my throat. Something had to anchor me. I crossed my legs Maybe I just needed a completely new start. Maybe I needed a new face, town, and life.
    “I think I need to start over.”
    “Amen to that.” Jed concurred as he took a drink.
    I took out a fifty and tossed it on the bar. “Give Jed another round on me, and you can keep the change, Alan.”
    Willie sang me out as I walked through the door, not looking back. I needed somewhere else to sort myself out. But where?
    Anchored in the Jag, I felt more in control. The rhythm of the road turns gave me a sense of power and strength I’d lost over the last year. I felt stronger than I had in a long time. I was on my own again, and I liked it. The ocean breeze blasted through the window. The shore crept onward, guiding me north away from him, the past, everything.
    I saw the turn off to Pacific Grove and took the exit. A good hotel, a night to rest, and cleaning up would be a good way to gain focus. I needed something to reset my inner compass. The ocean was always so cleansing. I picked a B&B near the shore. It was one of those Victorian restorations that always looked so quaint.
    I parked the Jag and stepped out onto a gravel drive. I walked to the office door, smelling the fragrance of roses and rosemary. A cat lounged on one of the wicker chairs on the porch as I opened the screen door. I walked into a small reception area complete with wooden desk, old-fashioned key boxes, and Victorian ottoman. A tall man looked up and smiled. It was the only one I’d seen all day. I set my sunglasses on my head and smiled at the man behind the desk. “A room for one please.”
    A bath can do wonders. I slid down in the bubbles, letting the water slide over my body. The room came furnished in a rose motif with all the special touches you expect in a B&B. Candles dotted the bathroom with matching pink towels. The lavender bubble bath worked to relax my mind and muscles. However, the romantic feel was lost on me. The decorations of romantic bliss gave the illusion of comfort. Luckily, I did like pink. But having a room like this by myself was lonely.
    I sighed as the lavender scent filled the bathroom. Stop it. I had to let go. Move on. I was better off without Rich. But the tears started, and I let them. One by one, they fell