The Shoppe of Spells by Shanon Grey

shoulder into the mirror, his eyes riveted on her breasts.
    “Are you up to getting dressed?” he asked tersely. Not waiting for an answer, he left the room.
    She followed behind him and closed the door. Her hand trembled. Never had she reacted so immediately or so strongly to a man. Even an angry man. At times he was so nice to her and at others—he seemed hostile. Morgan glanced around once more. Had she met him somewhere else, some other time, she could see letting her attraction to him take a different course. This was just too awkward.
    Morgan allowed herself time to take a quick shower, having found fresh towels laid out for her on the sink. She reached for the shampoo sitting on the tile ledge in the shower. As the floral scent encased her body, she inhaled the scent of the woman who gave birth to her. Somehow comforted, she finished the shower. When she walked back into the bedroom still wrapped in the towel, she found a fresh pair of jeans and a yellow oxford shirt on the bed. A drawer in the dresser was ajar. Morgan walked over and shook her head, barely suppressing the laughter at Dorian’s sense of decorum. She found the garments she needed and closed the drawer. Her fingers reached for the picture. They looked so happy, so complete. With renewed resolve, she tucked the shirt into the jeans, pulled her damp hair back, twisted it up, and clipped it.
    As much as she regretted not being able to keep her half of the shop and those, oh so magnificent gardens, Morgan knew it was only right to offer it to Dorian. He grew up here. He trained to take over. It was obvious that he loved it. This quaint little town. Remembering the conversation the night before, she knew he loved the people and the people adored him. Everyone had been extremely kind to her. Even Jasmine, after she nearly blinded her. She looked like Melissa and people reacted to that. Nonetheless, she wasn’t Melissa. She just didn’t fit. Letting determination bolster her, she started down the stairs, a spring in her step.
    “Dorian,” she called. Better to get this straightened out so they could get out of each other’s way and on with their own lives. She was sure Jasmine wouldn’t miss her and would be thrilled to have Dorian all to herself once more.
    Midway, she saw Dorian and another man turn toward her. Her step faltered and she grabbed the rail to keep from falling.
    “Rob!” she exclaimed. She didn’t miss Dorian’s scowl.
    Dorian’s brooding, dark handsome features stood in direct contrast to Rob’s blonde Adonis charm.
    “Morgan,” Rob flashed a smile and pushed up his glasses. Taking the steps two at a time, he stopped on the step below her. Now eye to eye, he leaned over and kissed her lightly on the lips.
    “What are you doing here?” She stood on the steps, not moving.
    “I talked to your parents. They told me where you were.”
    She glanced at Dorian, who watched them, his chiseled features unmoving.
    “They send their love.” Rob smiled at her.
    She studied him, wondering what he was up to. Surely, her parents hadn’t told him what had transpired. Then she remembered they didn’t know she had stopped seeing him. God, too damn much had happened in the last few weeks. She let a huff of breath escape.
    “Why are you here?” she asked, her voice flat.
    He stepped back one step. “Oh,” his smile disappeared and he threw a look at Dorian, “I see how it is.”
    “No.” Morgan and Dorian spoke simultaneously.
    Rob raised an eyebrow. Morgan steadied herself and stepped around him, preceding him down the steps. “Dorian and I have business to conduct.” She didn’t elaborate. “This was not a pleasure trip.”
    “Well, it should be,” Rob’s smile was suddenly back in place. “I am staying at the most charming bed and breakfast a few blocks down the street. Where are you staying, Morgan? We could—”
    “I’m staying here.” She walked to the counter and leaned against it. Her knees felt weak.
    Her eyes