Soothsayer: Magic Is All Around Us (Soothsayer Series Book 1) by Allison Sipe Page A

time should I pick you up tomorrow?” he asked.
    “Tomorrow?” I replied.
    “You didn’t forget that you’re supposed to show me around now did you?” He smiled.
    “Oh, that. Well I normally get up around five in the morning on Saturdays to make it to the beach for sunrise.” I hoped this news would discourage him from wanting to spend time with me. Ian was nice and all but I didn’t really want to spend an entire day with him.
    “Sounds good. See you around five-thirty then. Sleep well,” he said, rolling up the window before I could protest.
    “You too,” I said under my breath and turned to unlock the gate.
    I sighed with relief as I locked the door behind me, nearly collapsing on the tiled entryway floor. I changed out of my dress and into sweats faster than Superman changing back into Clark Kent. I set my alarm and crawled into bed.
    I yawned and rolled onto my side. As much as my brain wanted to over analyze the evening, a tequila-induced sleep forced my eyelids to close and I passed out.
     
    >>>><<<<
     
    I had hoped Ian wouldn’t show up. Most people didn’t like getting up before the sun, but he arrived just before five-thirty and we headed out for the day. He was quiet most of the morning, no doubt still feeling the effects of the sandman, but he didn’t take his eyes off me the whole time. It felt like he was waiting for something to happen, like I would magically sprout wings and fly away. I tried to ignore him but I couldn’t help feeling exposed and vulnerable as he tracked my every movement.
    I finished shooting a few photos and we watched the sun rise over the water. With any other guy, I might have thought it romantic to watch the fingers of dawn stretch across the sand, but with Ian the sky couldn’t brighten up fast enough.
    “How about we get some coffee?” Ian suggested. He stood, dusting the sand off of his jeans.
    “Coffee sounds great. I know just the place,” I replied. Ian reached for my elbow and helped me to my feet. Robert’s face flashed across my eyes and his voice echoed in my head, “Violet, I need you to look at me.”
    I pulled away from Ian and dusted myself off without looking at him. What the hell was that? I thought.
    “Stand up too fast?” Ian asked.
    His voice startled me. “Huh? Oh, yeah. Just a little light-headed.” I lied. Ian’s blue eyes flittered over me and a shiver ran down my spine. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but something about Ian was off and I was ready to be rid of him.
    We pulled up to the Java Beach Café and instantly I felt a sense of relief wash over me. It was packed with people and the familiar scent of fresh donuts and coffee filled my nose.
    “This must be the place to be,” Ian said with a smile as we walked inside.
    “You betcha. Java has the best pastries within a hundred miles.”
    We put in or orders and found a place to sit outside.
    “So does your family also live in Pismo?” he asked as we sat down.
    “No, they don’t.” I fiddled with the napkin dispenser, avoiding eye contact and hoping he’d switch to a different subject.
    “So you’re not originally from around here, or did they move away and you stayed behind for the view?” He wiggled his eyebrows and a feeling of unease settled in the pit of my stomach.
    A small, plump woman bustled over to our table and quickly distributed our coffee and breakfast.
    “I moved here after college. My parents aren’t around anymore and I needed a place to start over.” I tore a piece of my donut off and popped it in my mouth as I waited for my coffee to cool a bit.
    “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to pry.” Ian sipped his coffee and for the first time today, took his eyes off of me.
    “Yes you did,” I said, calling him on his bullshit.
    “I’m just trying to get to know you. Man, you’re a hard nut to crack, aren’t you?”
    I sighed. “I just don’t talk about my past much. I try to focus on the future.”
    “I understand. I lost my dad when I