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“You’ve chosen the perfect place for your honeymoon. You’ll love it here.” Joss rolls a little closer.

Slade sends a warning look her way, not lost on me. He runs a flat hand across his neck, slicing at his jugular, meaningstop now. “Nope, not a honeymoon.”

I shake my head in the negative, then imitate Slade’s gesture. “Not a honeymoon. The groom was a no show.” My voice breaks, revealing my emotion.

Joss’s cheeks pinken, making her look even more angelic. “Oh, I’m so sorry. You poor thing.”

I don’t want to be a poor thing. Never been a goal of mine.

I hold up my hand. “No sympathy, please. You’ll make me cry and I’m saving that humiliation for the privacy of my room.”

Both Joss and Slade are clearly uncomfortable, unsure of what to say to the sad little creature standing before them. I need to end this torture.

“If you need to vent, I’m a good listener,” Joss adds, subdued. “And I’m always here.” Her hands motion toward her wheelchair.

I believe she’s as sweet as her angelic appearance.

“Thank you. I might take you up on that. Just give me a day or two first, okay?” I turn back to Slade. “Now about that room, let’s get this done before bridezilla appears. It won’t be a pretty sight.” I’m resorting to sarcasm so I can hold in my emotions. I’d rather not make acompletefool of myself.

Control,Marin. Control.

Slade responds with a fake shiver. “I’m not scared of many things, but bridezilla is in the top three. Please keep her locked up unless you want to see a grown man cower in the corner.”

“What are the other two?”

“Other two?” he asks, confused.

“Yeah. The other two things you’re afraid of.”

“Oh. Clowns and Styrofoam,” he comments with no hesitation.

“I see you.”

“Nice to be understood. All right, I have you booked for two weeks. You can stay longer if you so choose. I’ll keep your room on hold.”

The random word vomit continues. “We were moving to California after the honeymoon. I quit my job, vacated my apartment, and all my stuff is in storage. I don’t even have a life to return to,” I blurt out. “I can stay here forever if I want.” Then I cover my face with my hands, embarrassed at my outburst.

“Was that bridezilla speaking?” Slade asks with mock horror. “Don’t make me hide like a coward.”

“Sorry. She’s coming out and I can’t stop her.” She’s scaring me too.

“Let her out,” Joss tells me. “Who decided women always have to be polite and just take whatever comes their way?”

Interesting words coming from the seemingly ultra-sweet Joss. The girl has backbone.

“I like you.” Her subsequent smile makes me feel like an angel just graced me with her presence.

“Full-service bed-and-breakfast here. Feel free to tell us anything.” Slade lifts his brows.

“Is there an oath of confidentiality? You can’t tell anyone what I’ve said, right?”

“You bet. But just for the record, we do not include tucking you in at night, turning the channel on the TV, or fluffing your pillows in the middle of a restless sleep. Nor do we wash the sand off your feet or rub cream on your sunburn after a day at the beach. I should probably add we also don’t help guests get dressed or undressed.” Slade points to Joss. “She made me watch Downton Abbey with her because she secretly hates me. Seriously, I think we all know how to dress ourselves by four years old. Was all that help really necessary for rich people? Evidently, if they’re rich, they’re clueless. How they hold onto all that money, I’ll never know. Not when they can’t put on their own jackets. Any other questions?”

My jaw drops as I stare at Slade. I’m not sure I’ve ever heard anyone rattle off an unprepared monologue with such speed. He hardly took a breath between his words. I want to laugh, but I’m all out of laughter today.

Joss rolls her eyes. “Don’t mind him. He thinks he’s Robin Williams. Ignore it or you’ll encourage him. Then it will never end. Trust me on this.”

Slade moves on without blinking an eye. “Breakfast is served in the dining area from eight to ten in the morning and…”

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