He stuttered. “I, uh…there’s no one here. It was the TV.”
“Adam, it’s time we ended this relationship. I think we both know it’s not working.” It felt so good to say the words aloud “This isn’t what either of us want. And not even because it’s three in the morning, I recognize that voice, and I’m pretty sure you’re cheating on me. It’s because you and I clearly aren’t happy together.”
“What the fuck?”
“It’s over.” I suddenly felt so light, so free, that a giggle escaped my lips. “You and I are over, and it feels so good to say that. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to laugh, but this was never right. You know that.”
“Oh, hell. What the fuck are you talking about? I’ve spent a year of my life trying to please you. Now you’re just gonna walk out because you’re having some mid-life fucking crisis.”
When the sound of a woman’s voice in the background was clear, and Ingrid and I exchanged glances, I just grinned. “Call it what you want. I don’t care. I have plenty of time left to find my path, but I don’t want to waste another second of the time I do have on you. I hope the woman warming your bed right now makes you happy, Adam. Good luck!”
As soon as I hung up, Ingrid all but exploded. “I cannot believe he had the audacity to imply you’re middle aged. That pig! Oh, I am going to shove my heel so far up his bum when I see him. And he’s cheating on you? But still thinks you should move in and play the next Mrs. Moro? That dirty, rotten bastard! I told you he was a puss-dripping knob. Didn’t I tell you?”
I was already up and moving around the room, giggling as I stripped out of my leggings and shirt. “I don’t even care. None of that matters. I feel fantastic—like a new woman.”
She watched as I changed into cute underwear and a sundress. “You’re not angry? Also, what are you doing?”
“I’m not angry. I feel great! I feel like I just lost that last fifteen pounds I’ve been working on for the past ten years. I’m free.” I shoved my feet into my flip-flops and stopped in front of the mirror to see if my hair and makeup were still okay. “You were right. I should’ve washed my hands of that man long ago.”
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going to try to find Mac. I know it’s crazy, but dumping Adam just gave me a new outlook and a new motto—carpe diem. I’m not waiting another second for my life to begin. There’s something there between Mac and me and I want to know what it is.”
She laughed and clapped her hands together. “Yeah! There’s my girl. Go out there and get your world rocked.”
I stood at the bathroom mirror brushing my teeth and talking around the toothpaste foam. “I love you. I’m sorry for SOS-ing you and then ditching you.”
“Forget that. Go shag your firefighter.”
I spit, rinsed my mouth, ran a quick brush through my hair, then grabbed my purse. “This is going to sound crazy and I’m sorry for dropping this bomb and running, but I think this island is…different.”
“Different how?”
“Magical?”
Ingrid’s brows rose almost to her hairline. “What?”
“Just hear me out. I saw something the other night…” I snickered. “I saw a polar bear walk out of the water. Then the bear…it turned into a man.” I bit my lip and shook my head. “I know it sounds insane, like I’ve lost my mind, but I really saw it. I think there are some bizarre things going on here on Sunkissed Key.”
“I knew it! Well, I didn’t know, exactly, but I prayed and prayed for it to be real and it’s finally happened.”
I just stared incredulously at her. This was not the response I expected, but at least she wasn’t talking about having me committed.
“Don’t look at me like that. I read paranormal romance all the time and everyone knows that all fiction is based at least partly on fact. Is it such a stretch to believe that shifters exist? No. It isn’t.”
“It isn’t?”
“Of course not. You saw one yourself. So there really are people who can transform from human form to animal form.”
Ingrid was really taking this much better than I expected.
“My bestie snagged herself a shifter.” She winked. “Now, go get your groove back.”
15
Mac
When the knock sounded at the door, I winced. I was having a hell of a time with Ame. She was a fussy little hellion tonight. She’d started screaming when Mel handed her back to me at Latte Love and hadn’t stopped since.
I made her a bottle, checked her diaper, rocked her, even tried singing to her, but nothing seemed to soothe her. Her cries alternated from loud, angry howls to tired, whiny howls.
When I opened the door, Mel’s scent washed over me, almost bringing me to my knees.
“Mel?” Although she was the person on the forefront of my mind, she was the last person I expected to see at my front door. She’d changed into a sundress, leaving her long legs bare. A complement was on the tip of my tongue, but then I noticed something miraculous.
The second I’d opened the door and Ame had seen Mel standing there, her fussing ceased. That abruptly.
Ame was flashing Mel a watery three-toothed grin, and reaching for her so hard she almost tumbled out of my grasp. “Meewl.”
Mel inhaled sharply. “She said my name!”
Mel snatched Ame out of my arms and wrapped her in a hug. Before I knew it, Ame was being held and cuddled and kissed, and showered with attention from Mel.
What just happened?
We’d all been waiting to hear Ame’s first word—mama or dada or nana, something. Hell, I’d been pushing for Uncle Mac, but Ame hadn’t said an intelligible word yet. It certainly did sound as though she’d just said “Mel”, though.
In reality, it was probably just Ame’s typical gibberish that coincidentally sounded like the word “Mel”, but I wasn’t about to say so and burst Mel’s bubble.
And, damn, it was really good to see her at my door. Unexpected, but damn good.
Ame was now snuggling into Mel, resting her head on Mel’s chest. It was unusual the way she took to Mel.
“I apologize if I’m interrupting.”
“Not at all. I’m glad you’re here. This is the first time she’s quieted down since we saw you in Latte Love. But, how did you—”
“Ben. I called Ben who was with Hailey. I had him ask Hailey for your address and whether she thought it was weird to stop by.”
“What did Hailey say?”
“She said she only thought it was weird that I wanted to, but she gave me your address. Obviously.”
Ame let out a contented sigh, and her little lids drooped heavily as she sagged against Mel. I suddenly realized we were still standing in the open front doorway.
“Come in! Please, come in.” I stepped aside and extended my arm, gesturing for her to enter.
She took a few steps and turned to face me.
I grinned. “Well I’ll be damned. You must have magical powers.” I nodded at Ame who was already sound asleep. “Let me put her down in her crib. I’ll be right back.”