Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 87609 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87609 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
“Don’t panic,” says Lady Helena, pulling a cell from the pocket of her designer jacket. “I know exactly what to do.”
“You do?”
There’s no reply. She’s already striding into my bedroom and shutting the door. Her phone call requires privacy, apparently.
Rebecca sticks up her hand. “Hang on. I have questions. Lots of questions.”
“Okay.”
“The first is more of a statement,” she says. “You get that I hired Good Witch Willow as entertainment for my party and that you’re not actually going to die, right?”
“Well...”
“I understand how the predictions coming true rattled you. Your ex cheating and the promotion and the lotto. I mean, the lotto in particular is—Wow. But, babe, they’re just coincidences. They have to be.” Rebecca rises and comes toward me with arms outstretched. “We’re hugging now.”
“That’s nice,” I say, hugging her back.
“One day you’re going to realize that you don’t have to handle everything on your own. In the meantime, I think using this as the impetus to get out there and try new and exciting things is a great idea.”
I smile. “Thanks.”
“What are you going to do with the money?”
“Not a clue.”
“I’m sure you’ll think of something,” she says. “Josh is definitely gone and out of the picture?”
My nod is one of much resolution.
“Good. So you and Prince Charming are friends now, huh? I assume as much, what with his mother being here.”
“I think so,” I say. “Yeah.”
“Lady Helena is wild.”
“So wild. You have no idea.”
She turns my hand over and studies the new book tattoo. “This is cute. Did it hurt?”
“Like a bitch. But there’s one more prediction,” I say in a quiet voice. “One I didn’t want to mention in front of Her Ladyship because I don’t think her son would approve. He’s supposedly my soulmate.”
“No shit?”
“Nope.”
She cocks her head. “Are you two involved in a more than friendly way, by any chance, and you forgot to tell me?”
“Still just friends.”
“But you almost crashed into him the day after Willow told you about being soulmates. The timing is amazing.” Rebecca blows out a breath. “Though I refuse to believe that any of it’s real. That these predictions are anything more than uncanny nonsense. It’s important to keep a grip on reality.”
“I honestly have no idea anymore.”
“Which of the wish-list items can I do with you?”
I instantly perk up. “Which ones would you like to do?”
The bedroom door swings open, and Lady Helena appears with her cell pressed to her ear. “Sweetheart, I’m guessing you’re probably not comfortable with casual nudity?”
“Um. No. Not really.”
“You don’t know what you’re missing until you’ve had your tits out on a beach in Europe. Such a feeling of liberation. Just don’t forget the sunscreen. I suppose whatever swimwear you have will do for tonight,” she says before returning to her call. “We’re going to need lavender for purity, rosemary for cleansing, lemon balm for healing, and cedar for protection. And I want a big-ass chunk of clear quartz, Dougal. The biggest you can get.” She disappears back into my bedroom and slams the door closed. What is it with this family and slamming doors?
“This should be interesting,” says Rebecca. “Are you sure you’re up for being spiritually cleansed by Her Ladyship?”
“That’s a really good question.”
A hint of a smile curves the corner of her mouth. “I asked her earlier if I could call her Helena. You should have seen the look on her face. She was horrified.”
No idea which of us started giggling first. And I’m not even entirely sure what we’re giggling about. But neither of us stop for a good long time.
* * *
When I tried to envision what Lady Helena might be planning, standing in my shower in a bikini while Her Ladyship used a pump-action water pistol to spray me with a combination of essential oils wasn’t one of them. Not even close. Same goes for having Himalayan salt thrown at me intermittently. The way it stings when she accidentally gets me in the eye. I don’t start to lose my temper, however, until I stub my toe for the third time on the boulder-size chunk of quartz sitting on the shower floor.
“Motherfucker,” I cry.
“Focus, sweetheart. You’ve got to say the mantra,” says Lady Helena. “Repeat after me: I am whole. I am healthy. I am calm. Or reasonably calm, at least.”
Rebecca leans against the bathroom counter. “I’m pretty sure calm left the building a while back.”
“Aye. So did common sense,” mutters Dougal, standing in the bathroom doorway. Like I need an audience for this event. He scratches at his gray beard and says, “Perhaps I should give the lad a call.”
“Absolutely not, Dougal.” Lady Helena turns the Super Soaker on the man with a warning look. “You know Alistair doesn’t believe in any of this. He’ll just be in the way. I know what’s best for Lilah in this particular situation.”