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“Sure, meet you at Bennie’s?”

“I’m right behind you.”

Bennie’s Diner is twenty minutes away, but it’s worth the ride over. The pancakes are to die for. Over the years, Dana and I have used it as a place to decompress.

We sit in our usual booth with our usual order of coffee and pancakes. “Long night?” I ask.

“Yeah, too long. I think I’m ready for a change.”

“You mean give up the badge?”

“Yeah. David makes enough money for the both of us, and then some. I’m tired, Amelia. Tired of all the bullshit that comes along with the job.”

“What would you do? I can’t see you sitting around all day, Dana.”

“We’ve started discussing a family.”

Placing my cutlery down, I give Dana my undivided attention. Dana and David enjoy their freedom. This is the first time Dana has hinted at settling down with kids. “Is that something you want?”

Dana nods. “Lately I’ve been feeling broody. David loves kids, and I think we’re in a good place.”

“I’m happy for you both. Truly, I think you’ll make fantastic parents.”

“Thank you, sweetie,” Dana replies, squeezing my hand. “Now, do you want to talk about the real reason you were driving your bike at the ass crack of dawn?”

“My mind won’t shut off. I’ve tried everything, but today… today is probably going to be one of the biggest tests of my relationship with Erin. It’s also going to determine my future.”

“That’s a lot to process. What’s your gut telling you about Erin and her reaction?”

“I don’t know if I can trust my gut. That’s the problem.” I laugh mirthlessly. I’ve never trusted myself less than I do at this moment.

“Do you want to know what I think?”

“Sure.”

“Erin is in deep, Amelia. I know I reacted badly when you told me, but after that, I watched her. She might be human, but she is pulled to you like a vampire would be. Erin may need a few days to let the truth sink in, but I believe she will be okay with it.”

“God, I hope so, Dana.”

“When is the big reveal?”

“Lunch time. The whole family will be there.”

“Have faith in her, Amelia. Don’t presume to know what Erin will think or feel. Trust her to love you enough to stay.”

“Love me. Dana, we’ve barely begun dating.”

“Timelines aren’t relevant in this, you know that. Okay, so you and Erin are a little different, but the feelings are still there. Tell me you don’t love her.”

“Dana, she consumes me entirely. I can’t breathe when I think of her not being by my side. But I understand why I feel that way. What if Erin believes her feelings aren’t real, that they’re just a manifestation—”

“Stop, Amelia, just stop. If you don’t start giving Erin some credit, no matter how she takes the news, your bonding will be unsuccessful because you still doubt her.”

We fall silent as I try to wade through the cesspool of thoughts lodged in my head. “I don’t want to lose her,” I whisper, my eyes slamming shut, trying to stop the falling of tears stinging my eyes.

“You won’t. As long as you give her your all, Erin will stay.”

We part ways half an hour later. Thankfully, Dana changed the subject and distracted me with tales of her recent calls. The sun is up now, and Erin will be awake. Suddenly, the distance between us is too much. Revving my bike, I set off for the penthouse. I need to make love to Erin; I need us to have that connection before we go to lunch.