Chapter 1

It had been a really long week. One of those weeks that felt as though it took a year to get through. After deciding a few months ago that I needed to move out of the house owned by my soon to be ex boyfriend, Jared, I'd spent the past six weeks looking at condos and houses to buy. Once I found one that worked for me, I didn't hesitate to make an offer and get the papers signed. I would be moving this weekend while he was out of town on business. If that wasn't bad enough, today we had a meeting about staff cuts. I now had to share an assistant with five other staff members.

I grabbed my laptop and packed my bag up so I could leave for the day, heading to the parking garage next door. I took a deep breath before starting my car. My original plan had been to head home start boxing things up before the move tomorrow but I decided to cruise my new neighborhood instead.

My phone rang as soon as I pulled out of my work parking lot and since the caller was my best friend for life and all that crap, I sent the call to hands free and answered it.

"Hi, Maggie," I said.

"Hey Miss B, where are you? I'm parked in front of your house, but you're not here."

"Which house? I'm in my new neighborhood looking for a bar."

"The one you're leaving. Drinking trumps packing any day. Text me an address when you find it and I'll join you."

"Will do. Ciao, baby." I hung up and told my GPS to find a bar in the area. After driving around aimlessly for a few blocks, the GPS finally found something and sent me three blocks over. I pulled into the parking lot of a strip mall to see a well lit bar in the corner named The Library. Laughing at the name, I texted the address to Maggie, locked my car, and headed inside.

There didn't seem to be anyone working behind the bar at the moment, but I took a seat anyway and looked around. The first thing I noticed was the décor. There were small tables along a low wall that divided the bar into two rooms. There were shelves along the back wall with books on them. Next to those were a few dart boards and pool tables. There were only a few other people in here which seemed a bit odd as it was Friday evening.

I played Tiny Death Star on my phone while I waited for either a bartender or Maggie to arrive. I heard her before I saw her. Her giggle is very distinct, especially for a woman in her thirties. I put my phone down and turned in her direction.

"Bella, you hot bitch! Give me some love!" she shouted running towards me. She hugged me hard enough to practically toss me over the bar.

"Jeez Mags, I just saw you last week," I whined as I pulled out of her embrace.

She let me go and took the seat next to me as I looked to see if anyone cared about her outburst, but other than a few curious glances, no one seemed put out."I know girl, but now you're single, so you're much more awesome," she teased. She took a look around the bar and laughed again. "This place is beyond cool. What do you bet there's porn on the book shelves? How long have you been here? Where's your drink?" She leaned over the edge of the bar. "Hey! What's a girl got to do to get a drink around here?!" she yelled, as I covered my ears, shaking my head in embarrassment.

"There's no porn on the shelves, at least that I've found, and if you wanted a drink badly enough, showing your boobs always helps," a deep male voice said from the door at the back area of the bar.

We both turned our heads in the direction of the voice and Maggie's jaw dropped. "Why hello, tall, dark and handsome, I'm Maggie." She thrust her hand out and he came closer to shake it. "Who might you be?"

"I'm Jake," he said, grabbing her hand and giving her a thorough once over. I cleared my throat because all of a sudden, I'm invisible. In Maggie's defense, she's stunning, all long, dark red hair and pale skin. He barely glanced my way, but did nod in acknowledgement."What can I get you lovely ladies to drink?" he asked.

"I'd like a vodka martini and my friend would like a Blue Moon if you have it in a bottle. She's a beer snob, won't drink from the tap," Maggie answered for me, still holding Jake's hand in hers. After what felt like eons of googly eye contact, Jake finally released her hand and got us our drinks.

I barely had a sip in me before Maggie turned the conversation to my move. "So give it to me straight, how are you really feeling about this monumental decision to leave Jared?"

I thought about it for a few seconds before replying. "Pretty good, actually. You know it's been a long time coming. It was just too easy to stay there and coast. "

"Does he know?" she raised an eyebrow.

"You know damned well he doesn't Magpie." Because I'm a coward, I didn't bother to tell the ex I was leaving. He knew I was unhappy and considering it, I just hadn't actually told him yet.

"You do realize that's going to go over like a bomb, right? You've been together for years, B. He won't take this lying down."

"He knew this was coming. He refused to go to counseling with me and he wouldn't sit down to have an actual conversation. I told him I wasn't happy and I was ready to move on, but instead talking to me, he keeps going out of town to avoid me." I downed the rest of my beer and waved Jake over to order another round.

After our fifth round, I knew we would have an issue with driving, so I waved Jake back over to ask about cabs in the area. He gave us a number and Maggie and I stumbled out front, hopped into the cab and headed to her house to pass out.

+(TL)+

Waking up the next morning was rough, but after copious amounts of coffee, water, and pain killers, Maggie and I were able to get a cab ride to our cars. From there we headed to my old house to pack the few things I had. Almost everything other than a few knick knacks, some books, DVD's and my clothes, either belonged to Jared or was something he had forced me to agree to buy, so I was leaving it there.

I admit, I did cry a little when deciding which pictures to bring from the mantle, but what can you expect after ending a five year relationship? The saddest part was realizing it couldn't be saved, no matter what I did.

Maggie and I packed up our cars with my meager belongings, and headed to my new place on the other side of town. Once we had everything in my living room, we decided go furniture shopping now and unpack later. Sleeping and sitting on my aerobed was going to get old fast. This way I could get the big things ordered for delivery. At least I had a desk and chair to work from.

Many moons later, okay a few hours, I had purchased all the furniture I would need. It would all be delivered by Tuesday morning. I made a mental note to take Tuesday off and we headed to Target for as much of everything else I would need.

Two of those long platform style carts with patio furniture and three shopping carts full of house wares later, and Maggie was complaining about food. Since I'm a nice friend, I took her to a pub I had seen and she was able to get the French fries and beer she'd demanded.

"I like the dark gray sheets you bought, Bella," she said while stuffing food in her mouth, narrowly avoiding chewing on one of her long red curls.

"Can you not talk while you're chewing? I know for a fact your mom taught you at least one manner." I sipped my beer. "And I agree about the sheets."

"Once we unload and unpack, we should make a list of everything we forgot. This way, we can head back out tomorrow but with a plan," she suggested.

"Makes sense." I lifted my beer to cheer. We clanked glasses, finished our food and headed back to my house.

"Hey Bella, were you planning on buying a lawnmower or looking for a service?" Maggie asked while unpacking my new pots and pans next to the back sliding glass doors.

"Crap! I hadn't even thought about it. I guess find a service. It's a small yard, shouldn't cost me too much."

"You can use all the money you would have spent on those ugly novelties Jared insisted on, and get yourself a hot young thing to trim your bush. If you know what I mean." She wiggled her eyebrows at me.

"Oh my God, freak!" I shrieked, throwing packing Styrofoam at her as she cackled.

After unpacking everything I bought today, Maggie and I went from room to room making a list of what I still needed to get. It was a longer list than I'd hoped, starting with a washer and a dryer. I couldn't believe I'd forgotten that while we had been out today.

Once the list was complete, I walked her to the door and gave her a huge hug.

"I can't thank you enough for just being you." I kissed her shoulder, because she's too tall for me to reach her cheek. Well, without being on my tip toes.

She tugged on my ponytail, "That's what sisters from another mister are for. I'll see you tomorrow bright and early, sunshine." She kissed my cheek and walked to her car. I closed the door, locked it, and leaned against it to stare into my mostly empty house.

Sighing, I headed to my bathroom to shower off my day and get ready for air mattress.

A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing

If you notice any mistakes, it's my fault, not 's who did her BETA job, but I fidgeted after

Thanks Mirror