Page 9

“No, it’s on me. I’m sorry, Ms. Hanson, really.”

Erin is clearly torn between wanting to tear me a new asshole and being a respectful employee. I kind of feel bad now. “It was nice to meet you, Ms. Loch. I need to get back to work, please excuse me.”

“Oh shit, she’s pissed,” Claire laughs.

“I was only playing. I didn’t mean to make her that angry.”

“Erin is a tough nut to crack. She doesn’t take shit, and she doesn’t enjoy being made to look a fool.”

“What should I do?” Suddenly, making Erin happy again is the most important thing for me to do.

“Nothing, she’ll cool off. Anyway, it’s not like you’ll be around here much longer.” The barb stings. Claire is a brilliant manager, and she’s my friend. I haven’t been a very good one of those recently.

“I know. I’m a shitty friend. Forgive me?”

Claire rolls her eyes. “Obviously.”

“Hey, by the way…” My voice trails off because I’m not sure I should ask my next question, but I need to know. “Is Erin a vamp?”

Claire furrows her eyebrows and stares at me like I’m stupid. “No, of course not. Can’t you smell her?”

Shit! Erin is human. And I couldn’t tell. Oh, fuck, it’s starting already. I’m changing. “I…”

“Amelia, you couldn’t smell the difference?” Claire’s eyes betray her concern.

Looking from Claire over to Erin, I weigh up how much I should say. “I… she smells different.”

“What do you mean?” Claire whispers, leaning closer to me.

“She smells of cherries.”

Anyone would think I’d just taken a swing at Claire the way she reels back, her eyes bugging out her skull. What the hell did I say?

“Amelia…”

“What?” I’m panicking now. Does Claire think I’m already starting to fall into madness?

“We need to go. Come on.”

She leaves no time for a reply. Claire scurries off, speaks to Erin before rounding the bar and grabbing me forcefully by the elbow.

“Claire, what the fuck?” I protest, but it falls on deaf ears. Claire is on a mission. I’m stuffed into the back of her car. Claire tells her driver to take me to my parents’ house. That’s when I know my fears are coming true. For whatever reason, my descent into crazy town is being accelerated.

My head is pounding, and I can’t organize my thoughts to produce a coherent sentence. Claire has tapped her heel the entire journey and I’m about ready to tear her leg off but thankfully we arrive, and she whips open the car door dragging me out.

My parents look equally shocked as I do when Claire tears into their home, calling for the Loch family to gather. My siblings must hear the panic in Claire’s voice because they all come running. We are standing in the kitchen and I’m pretty sure I’m going to vomit.

Should I tell them to put me down now? That would be best for everyone. Do the deed before I become something they don’t recognize.

“Amelia, repeat what you said,” Claire barks.

“About what?”

“Erin?”

“What about her?”

“Tell them what she smells like?”