Page 54 of Monsters in Love

I grin as my teenage-era best friend comes into focus. Her white-blond hair is long and straight, tucked behind one ear so that the ever-so-slightly-pointed tip of it peeks out. Her ice blue eyes are still startling, but the expression on her face is one of warmth.

“Hi! I’ve missed you, you weirdo. What if it hadn’t been me and you’d just assaulted some stranger?”

“Eh, I’m basically the town’s Welcome Wagon. It would have been fine.”

Naturally. Nothing ruffles her. “Anyway, I just got back,” I say. “I inherited Mabon Manor.”

“Of course!” Haven hooks an arm through mine and tows me down the street. “Make time for coffee,” she orders. “You have to tell me everything.”

Typical Haven Bishop behavior. A descendent of the town’s founders, she is the most organized, efficient, natural-born leader I’ve ever encountered. When she makes a decision, everyone else just falls in line. Honestly, I think she was born to be a military general.

She tugs me down a few doors to a place called Queen of Tarts; when she opens the door, a smell like heaven wafts up my nose. Vanilla, cinnamon, sugar, and something citrusy—lemon?—combine to make my mouth water.

“My god, it smells good in here,” I mutter.

Haven nods. “Welcome to the best bakery and café in the world,” she says. We take a booth in a corner, and a few moments later, a pretty waitress with wild, colorful hair and a bohemian-style dress strides up. Bracelets are stacked up and down her arms and she has multiple piercings in each ear and her left nostril.

“Hi, Haven,” she says with a twinkly smile.

“Hey, Oaklyn,” Haven says. “Meet my friend, Anya Winslow. Annie, this is Oaklyn Drake. Assistant manager here. Makes a key lime pie you would die for.”

I shake hands with the waitress as Haven places our food order. “Two fritters. And a black coffee for me. Annie?”

“Just orange juice,” I say. “After all these years, I still can’t stomach coffee.” OJ this late in the day is a little weird, but it sounds like it’ll pair well with fritters.

Haven shakes her head conspiratorially at Oaklyn. “What self-respecting adult doesn’t drink coffee?”

“Got me. I can’t get through a day without it,” the waitress says.

Oaklyn goes to retrieve our food and Haven leans back in her seat and grins at me. “I can’t believe you’re back.”

“Yeah. I just got to town a few hours ago. I guess maybe you heard that Aunt Celeste passed away? I never really thought she would; can you believe she was 97?” I shake my head in wonder. “Anyway, she left me the manor, and between you and me, it’s not in great shape.”

As if that’s a secret. Anybody who glances at the place could figure that out. It looks like if you sneezed hard enough, the whole thing would tumble down. “I came here to check it out and decide what on earth to do with that monstrosity. I’m not really sure I want it, and even if I do, I don’t know if I can afford to keep it, especially considering the repairs it needs. Like possibly a full renovation. Which would take a long time. Which would mean staying here for months. Not too sure about that.”

Haven rolls her eyes. “Give the place a chance. Don’t let one bad smell ruin your nose.”

“What the hell does that mean?” It seems Haven still has the occasional tendency to mix metaphors—or simply make them up to suit her point.

“It means Chad Alder is a dick and you shouldn’t let him get to you. He’s not worth it, and besides, it’s been ages.”

Ah, Haven. Like the true best friend she is, she knows me well, even after years apart. And she’s never shied away from tough love. “I had this thought…” I trail off and she tilts her head at me.

“Spill it.”

Oaklyn returns to drop off our drinks, and I wait until she’s gone before continuing.

“Well,” I say. “This might sound crazy, since I have no experience and don’t even know if I want to stay here, but I was thinking maybe I could turn the house into a bed and breakfast. The income could help me pay off the repairs, and I think maybe it could do well? This is a tourist town, after all. Maybe people would want somewhere cute to stay?”

Haven lights up with a grin. “I love that idea! Keep this on the DL, but the town council has been looking for ways to increase tourism, and part of that is offering more lodgings, a project I am stuck overseeing.” She rolls her eyes. “Anyway, Mabon Manor would be great for that! And selfishly, I’d love to have you around all the time. I’ve missed you, Annie. You should have come back sooner.”

I reach out and give her hand a squeeze. “I’ve missed you too. I know shouldn’t have stayed away as long as I did. It was stupid, but…well, you know what Chad did to me. It was a real mind-fuck and it’s taken me this long to figure out that I was punishing myself and not him.”

She squeezes my hand back. “I totally get that. Not that I have any time for men these days, or mind or body fucks of any kind. But I know he messed you up.”

I take a sip of my juice, which tastes freshly squeezed. “You really think the B&B thing is a good idea? I’m not too sure. Maybe it’s better to just sell the place and get on with things.”

“I think it’s a fantastic idea.” She reaches into her bag and pulls out a card. “I have a reno of my own in the works, and this is my contractor. He does good work. Give him a call and at least get an estimate before you decide to turn tail again.”

---