Fairytale Ambrosia (The Knead to Know Series Book 2) by Liz Schulte

I’ll make the coffee. For me, not for you.”
    I looked back at her a couple times on my way to the bathroom. It was a little too convenient that I needed a witch and two just happened to live across the street and they even were aware of the Abyss. I threw my old shirt away and turned the faucets on full blast, then put my head under it, washing the blood and grime out of my hair and off of my face and hands. I wrung my hair out the best I could, then pulled it back into a bun before patting my face dry. “Don’t tell her anything,” I whispered to my reflection before heading back out. “Thanks for the shirt.” I rolled my shoulders as I came out of the bathroom. I already felt better, though I was still sore.
    “No problem. I take it you don’t drink coffee.” I shook my head and she poured herself a cup. “Okay, so you’re a baby vampire. How’d that happen?”
    I focused on my hands and took a deep breath as I thought about my answer. “I met a guy in a bar and he talked a good game.”
    She added sugar to her mug then stirred. “And where is he now?”
    “I have no idea.”
    She shook her head, coming back to sit down. “Asshole. He can’t turn you and then just leave. That’s not the way it’s done. Have you tried to find any others? Surely, there’s someone out there who could mentor you. Not that you need it. Apart from getting hit by the car, you seem to be doing great on your own. But still it can be nice to have other people like you.”
    “I can’t even imagine someone else like me.” I shook my head. That was too much information. “I’ve just gotten so used to being on my own. Okay, now you know about me. Tell me, how does a human witch know so much about vampires?”
    “I dated one. Before Megan. Don’t mention it when she’s around. She gets pissy, but I did. It was…” She shrugged. “How do you explain the unexplainable? We had an intense relationship, but there were also barriers, you know. They became too much and it was easier to be apart. Anyway, I learned a lot about the Abyss in that time. Like vampires can’t go out in daylight. So how are you managing it?”
    I pressed my lips together. She seemed to be telling the truth, but that didn’t mean anything. Phoenix always seemed to be telling the truth, yet never did. “I’m unique.”
    “Totally obvious, but how so?” She leaned forward.
    I glanced over at the un-iced cupcakes. “I really need to finish this stuff. I can’t talk right now.”
    Stephanie pressed her hands together in front of her. “You have serious trust issues, but we will win you over Maggie Edwards. Megan and I can be great friends, you know, if you even feel like you need one.” She stood up. “Come over after you close tonight. I won’t take no for an answer.”
    “I’m supposed to go to Vinny’s.”
    She gave me a weird look. “Why would you go to an Italian restaurant when you don’t eat.”
    Because I needed to get better at saying no. “I said I would and it is easier to go and be done with it than have it hanging over my head.”
    “Fine, but after that. No more excuses.” She opened the door just as Izzy was about to knock.
    Izzy came inside, carrying a bag. “You should really keep clothes here.” She yawned. “Who are you?” She glanced at Stephanie.
    “I own the store next door,” she said, offering her hand. “See you tonight, Maggie.” With a chipper wave, she left.
    “Never trust a morning person,” Izzy said.
    “Hey, I’m a morning person.”
    Izzy nodded, handing me the bag. “I know and you woke me up at five in the mother-loving-morning. But at least you have coffee.”
    “Of course I do.” I got her a cup and an ambrosia bar before changing into the clothing she’d brought.
    “So what happened?” she called. “What was the emergency?”
    “Strawberry jam everywhere. It looked like a shark attack.”
    Feeling a lot more like myself in a pair of black pants and a pink button up top, I went back