Romance Rules for Werewolves (Charming Cove, #3)(3)

Poa had never liked Tommy, which should have been my first clue he was no good. She also didn’t like the fact that he’d discouraged me from using my magic.

“I should have listened to you,” I said.

Well, listen to me now and get out of this elevator before it takes you back up there and another bird shits on you.

I nodded, gripping the neck of the champagne bottle tightly. “That’s good advice.”

I’m full of it, honey, trust me. And my next suggestion is to get into the loo and clean yourself up.

I sighed and headed out of the elevator. “Good point.”

I found the ladies' lavatory near the elevators and did the best I could to remove the mascara from under my eyes. I washed my face—twice for the forehead—then applied a fresh coat of lipstick.

Good work. You look almost normal.

“Ha, ha.” I grabbed the champagne, which I’d set on the counter, and tested it. After the woman’s pep talk and the fresh lipstick, it tasted better. But could I walk around London with an open champagne bottle in my hand? Did it make a difference that it was expensive? Wealthy people rarely got in trouble with the police, and I wasn’t one of them, but with this champagne, I might be able to pass.

Where will you go now? Poa asked as we walked out into the lobby.

I glanced around to see if anyone noticed the cat at my side. It wasn’t like she was a teacup poodle or Frenchie, both common to see out and about. Cats, on the other hand… But if anyone noticed, they didn’t say anything. Maybe it was because we were in a fancy hotel and they thought I was one of the eccentric guests.

I liked that idea and tried straightening my shoulders and adopting the walk of the fabulous woman who’d encouraged me in the elevator. No one ever bothered people who looked that fabulous and confident.

I felt Poa’s gaze on me and looked down. She shook her head. You’re not pulling it off.

I glared. “Mean.”

Truthful. Don’t be so stiff.

“I can’t believe I’m taking advice from a cat.”

Honey, if you’d taken my advice sooner, you wouldn’t be in this position.

“Fair enough.” I sighed. “What do you suggest?”

To start, go over to that bar and ask for a champagne glass. Then you won’t look like a wino.

“I’m not sure that’s true, but okay.” I veered toward the hotel bar and took a seat on one of the emerald velvet stools. Poa jumped up onto a stool next to me, and I hissed, “It’s not normal to have a cat in a bar.” I lowered my voice. “Not in human London, at least.”

The humans can’t see me.

I raised my brows. “Really?”

She nodded. There’s a lot you don’t know about me. You would, if you hadn’t abandoned your magic.

Embarrassment flushed through me. She was right. I’d abandoned my gifts for a man. A worthless man. It had happened so slowly, with Tommy subtly suggesting that I didn’t need to use my power so much, that I almost hadn’t noticed. It had happened all the same.

Incoming. Poa nodded toward the other end of the bar, and I turned to see a bartender approaching. He was young, no more than twenty-five to my thirty, and had a friendly smile. “May I get you a glass for that, Miss?”

“Thank you.”

He nodded and turned to retrieve a glass, then presented it to me. I took the flute, looking between the bottle of wine and him. “You don’t mind that I brought my own wine to your bar?”

“It’s from the hotel, so it’s fine.”

“How can you tell? Is this your signature variety for cheating boyfriends and their mistresses?” I clapped a hand to my mouth, shocked by the words that had escaped. Next to me, Poa crowed her delight.

The bartender gave an awkward laugh, his gaze flicking toward the elevators. “Something like that.”

I sighed. “Whatever. I don’t care.”

He picked up the bottle and poured it into my glass in a graceful stream.

I don’t suppose you could ask him for a saucer? Poa asked.

“No.”

The bartender frowned. “You don’t want the wine?”

I pulled the full glass toward myself. “Oh, I do.”

“Then I’ll get you a glacette.” He left to complete the job, and I looked at Poa.

She could clearly see my confusion, because she said, it’s an ice bucket for champagne, you plebeian.

“Hmm.” I downed half my glass before looking down at her again. She stared at me with irritation. “I’ll get you some wine when we’re not in the hotel, all right? It would look weird if I put a saucer of champagne on the bar next to me.”

Fine.

“Are you sure cats can have wine?”

This cat can.

I rolled my eyes and slumped into the cushy back of the barstool. It was a bold move to drink at the hotel bar where Tommy and his mistress might walk by at any moment, but I didn’t care. I was going to drink his expensive champagne while I sorted out my life, and I couldn’t exactly do that on the street.

So, what next?

“You’re back with me now?”

If you stay this cool, yes.

“I will.” There was a note of determination to my voice that I liked. “I let Tommy make too many choices for too long. I need to make my own.”