Page 1 of Magical Melee

Chapter One

“I’d love the Abracadabra tea, please.” The excitement rolled off my best friend Skye as she placed her order and nearly lifted off the ground. She eyed me and nodded toward the tea display as if this tea shop wasn’t merely full of gimmicks and tricks to woo the tourists.

I froze in place when I realized I sounded like my ex-husband. Alex was born cynical, and his hidden whispers chiding in my mind always surprised me. His mother once told me he was the only baby she knew who would sigh, frown, and roll his eyes when she’d turn on the elephant mobile over his crib as if the world’s simplicity was too much for him, even at that age.

But tonight was the night of change.

This weekend was all about celebrating my freedom. Granted, the ink had barely dried on my divorce papers, but I couldn’t lie to myself. Alex and I were doomed from the beginning, and he wasn’t my problem anymore.

Not my problem.

Just the thought made my fingers tingle with excitement.

I focused on the shelves lining every wall with fanciful jars filled with loose-leaf teas, and if I didn’t know better, the script seemed to shimmer and shift when I stopped looking directly at the label. My eyes landed on a beautiful mix of purple, orange, and black flecks.

“I’ll take the Calmora tea.”

“Absolutely, Miss. Perfect choice.” The older woman behind the counter wore her silver hair twirled in a bun. Her blue eyes focused on me for a split second before glancing at an English bulldog in the corner of the shop. He wore a black bow tie and appeared rather regal for a dog with a flat face. “We’ll bring it right out to you.”

I didn’t know if she meant her or the dog. I was hoping there was someone else in the back room.

I happily nodded and noticed the dog still watching me. I’d think he was studying me if I didn't know better.

Maybe I needed this trip more than I realized.

Skye turned and shook her head as I raised my purse to fish out my wallet. “I’ve got this. After all, this girl's trip was my idea. Go find a seat by the window so we can people-watch. I’ve heard it gets amazing at night.”

“You’re too good to me.” I beamed at my friend and obeyed.

The woman behind the counter examined us intently as her scarlet red lips curled slightly. “It’s good to have a best friend like that.” She nodded at Skye. “They’ll keep you out of trouble when it counts and get you into plenty of trouble when it doesn’t.”

I spotted a little red speck of lipstick on the woman’s tooth and smiled. I hoped I had that much pizazz when I was her age.

Skye chuckled as I scanned the quaint tea shop and had to agree silently about our friendship. She had been my best friend since she moved across the street from us years ago. She saw the ups and downs of my marriage but was equally blindsided when my life imploded. She was there—always had been.

But the one my heart ached for the most was my amazing daughter Celeste.

In just two days, my daughter Celeste started college. Her future was like a beautifully wrapped gift, full of excitement and endless possibilities. I couldn’t wait to see what amazing things were in store for my one and only.

And me? Well, I needed to figure something out.

This divorce wasn’t the end of me.

No, it would merely be the jumping-off point.

I shook my head in disbelief, thinking about how quickly things changed.

Celeste had been selected for her first-choice college. The acceptance letter came after we’d happily driven as a family to scout the campus last spring. I remember her sitting in the backseat of our luxury SUV, happily bopping her head to her earbuds, eagerly staring out the window —my husband at the steering wheel, grinning like the dope he turned out to be.

Granted, it took me nineteen years to figure it out, but somebody’s lace panties tucked in his back pocket taught me quickly that we’d been living a lie. Or rather, he’d been living one while I was dutifully raising our fantastic daughter, keeping house, and avoiding all the snack foods in life to keephimhappy.

Because, as it turned out, my husband loved to sleep with everyone but me.

Surprise!

Alex hadn’t been working out at the gym formeto admire his abs. It was apparently a spectator sport and had been for years.

I was still sore about it.