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“Exactly—he threw you into this without even telling you what he was signing you up for. You didnothingwrong.”

I pull my knees up to my chest, glad we can finally talk about this. “I let him kiss me.”

She smiles a little. “Before or after the bite?”

“Before.”

“Was it good?”

“Not really.”

“That sucks. He could have at least had the decency to be a good kisser. Come on, vampire guy, sell yourself a little—forever is a long time. If he wants a life mate, he needs to up his game.”

I laugh even though my eyes are stinging a little. “I love you, Livi.”

“I love you too, Pip.”

“Don’t call me that.”

She shrugs as her eyes wander the room and land on the framed photo of Kevin and me.

I don’t know why I’ve left it there. Every time I see the two of us smiling for the camera, my stomach rolls. It’s time for it to go.

Before I can change my mind, I snatch it up and walk into the kitchen, feeling immense relief when I drop it into the trash and close the lid.

That chapter of my life is officially over.

It’s about time.

“What about Mr. Bodyguard?” Olivia calls from the couch. “Is he a good kisser?”

I return to the living room. “I don’t know.”

She smirks. “You don’t knowyet.”

“I told him I friend-zoned him.” I return to my spot on the couch.

“Excellent. Make him work for it.”

I smile. “Don’t tell Noah, but it’s a relief to have someone around. Ethan texted me this morning, and it was pretty terrifying.”

“He texted you?” Olivia demands.

I hand her my phone and let her read the messages.

Her face goes a little pale. When she looks up, she whispers, “This isn’t good. You locked the front door, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Are vampires super strong? Or fast?”

“I don’t think so. They’re just immune to natural death, and their senses are heightened. They’re not superhuman or anything like that.”

She returns the phone to me. “You should take some self-defense classes.”

“That’s not a bad idea.”

Her face brightens. “Maybe Noah can teach you. He looks…capable.”