Page 1 of Stella’s Manster

Prologue

We gather in Clarissa’s kitchen—laughing, eating, and drinking on the last night of our girl’s weekend. So far, we’ve had an amazing time christening her newly inherited eight-room B&B in Manitou Springs, Colorado. It’s the perfect time of year to visit. The occult is strong in this tiny community and Halloween is its favorite time of the year.

I don’t get away from the hustle of real life that often, so this time with my friends is just what I need even if I don’t understand their obsession with this time of year.

The girls thought it would be fun to embrace the cool Fall weather and Halloween vibe. So last night we watched witchy movies, did tarot card and palm readings, and drank midnight margaritas. Today, we spent the afternoon at the Emma Crawford festival and had dinner at the Loop—more margaritas—before attending a twilight seance at the cemetery where guides told local ghost stories.

I’d never choose to do all this, but right now is about spending time with my friends. That’s all that matters. So if they want to get in touch with their spiritual sides, who am I to stop them?

Finally, night falls and we’re back at the B&B.

Clarissa grabs our attention by handing each of us a notecard and a pen. “Ladies, I have the perfect way to end this magical weekend. I want you all to write down the characteristics of your perfect man. Physical, mental, and spiritual. Be as specific as you can, but here’s the deal. Even if you have someone in mind—an old crush you’ve harbored for years—you cannot write his name or any detail that singles him out. For example: If David from high school has nine toes and is the only mechanic in town, you cannot write David with nine toes who fixes my car. Doing so violates his free will and would come back negatively on you tenfold.”

Some of our friends cackle at the nine toes, and I roll my eyes. Never in the history of our friendship has this happened before, but somehow at this moment, every one of us is single at the same time. So men, in general, have been the topic of conversation all weekend.

“What are we doing, Clarissa?”

Clarissa smiles, grabbing a bundle of sage and sweetgrass from a drawer. “We’re casting a love spell to bring the perfect man into our lives.”

“Really?” Sabrina asks.

Clarissa shrugs. “What’s wrong with that?” She giggles.

“That’s awesome!” Leonora laughs.

“Hell, yeah,” Luna exclaims.

“I love this idea.” Tricia takes her pen and feverishly writes.

“Wouldn’t that be nice?” I chuckle skeptically at Clarissa. “If life were only that easy.”

“Hey, when this works out for you, I’ll expect you to come crawling back with a,you were right Clarissa,” she laughs. “All you have to do is open yourself to the possibility of receiving love, and poof! Your wish is granted.” She slides me a pen. “Now, fill those cards out then meet me outside in the garden.”

I glance around at my friends and watch their pens scribble away.

It’s all fun and games, so I suppose it won’t hurt to jot a few things down.

Bringing the pen to the card, I write everything I want in a life partner, starting with themost importantdown to thenot a deal breaker but bonus-if-he-had-it.

Important:

Sense of humor

Kind and loving

Sweet

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