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“Hey Chanel.” I believed all the vampires knew me by name.

“Hi Marco.” His purple mohawk was now a brighter shade of purple.

“What are you ladies drinking tonight?”

“Two glasses of red wine.”

“Coming right up.” He said as he winked at Morgan.

She gave him a coy smile. Which meant practically nothing because she was a huge flirt and used to getting a lot of attention from men.

“Coco, quick question.”

“What’s up?”

“Do you think it’s too early for me to date?”

“Date?”

“Yes, date a man. Go on a date.” She reiterated.

This was an odd question. I didn’t have an answer. I don’t know how long Craig had been gone and buried. With my own problems, I didn’t keep up with the date he died.

“I don’t know. That’s up to you. Do you feel like you’re ready to go on dates?”

“I don’t think I am. But I think I need a distraction. I need something new, someone in my face, someone else to think about.”

“I understand.” I did. Too much time alone made it hard to come out of despair. Going back to business was a way we both coped.

“I don’t know. Like maybe even a one-night stand, or something like that. I don’t know what I need. Maybe I need a new place, or a new city, a new something, I don’t know.”

“Well, you don’t have to figure it out tonight and you definitely don’t have to figure it out while you’re drinking.”

“Two glasses of red for you ladies.”

“Thanks Marco.” I smiled and turned away from the bar to look over at the dance floor. I swear some people could not dance. But it was entertaining the watch.

“So, you don’t have to pay for drinks anymore?”

“My man owns the club, you know that.”

“I know, girl. It must be nice.” She joked.

It was more than nice. I felt safe and taken care of. Taking a sip of wine, I scanned the room for a glimpse of my vampire. I didn’t see Zand anywhere and the crowd of partygoers. I didn’t see him in the VIP section.

I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned to see Natasha standing firm and right behind me. She was in a candy apple red skintight vinyl jumpsuit. “Chanel, what are you doing here?” Her accent was so heavy it took me a few seconds to decipher her entire sentence.

“I came with my friend Morgan.”

“My boss doesn’t know that you’re here.” She seemed surprised in her neutral way.

“Okay.”

“If you want to see him, he’s in a meeting.”

Why was she breaking her neck to tell me this? “I didn’t say I wanted to see him. But who is he in a meeting with?”

“I don’t know if I should tell you.” Her accent was heavier than Heavy D & the Boyz.