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The window at the back overlooked the lake and the party still going on outside. Not-Brian pulled half the curtain closed to provide some privacy like the gentleman he was then sat at the desk and slapped his legs in a universal “sit here” gesture. Wow. What a winner. He even turned his hat backward so the bill wouldn’t hit her face.

Be still her beat-less heart.

All right, it was going to be gross and embarrassing, and this guy was kind of the worst. She wasn’t even into men on a good day. He probably tasted horrible. But she would just have a sip. Enough to say she did it. She’d had a whole bag of blood before leaving, so it wasn’t like she was even hungry. Did blood work to absorb alcohol?

Focus, Ashley.

First step, sit on his lap. She perched herself as close to his knees as possible. No need for any more surprises from him.

And that was it. No stalling. Just get it over with. She extended her teeth, and his head pulled back from her in surprise. “Whoa. Wicked body mods. Are you supposed to be Caroline? I lovedVampire Diaries.”

She had no idea what he was talking about, and she frankly didn’t care. She looked deeply into his eyes. “Don’t freak out.”

Ashley wrenched his head to the side.

Before she could bite down, he leaped from the chair, knocking her to the floor. “Whoa, man. I’m not into that kind of stuff. Just because I’m supposed to be a zombie doesn’t mean I’m into the whole biting thing. You’re like hot and whatever, but umm yeah, I’m out.”

He left the room, and Ashley was disappointed to conclude that perhaps she hadn’t figured out the whole glamouring thing after all. What a waste of an evening. Maybe it was time to go home. With the help of the nearby desk, it took her two—no, three—tries to stand back up again, but she did it. Because she was a champion. She wobbled and leaned against the window, letting the cool glass press against the back of her head. That felt nice.

“Has anyone seen Ashley?” a voice called through the pane. “I’m trying to find Ashley. She’s tall and blond and dressed like a cheerleader. Is she still here?”

She was Ashley and also tall and blond and dressed like a cheerleader. She looked down and was shocked to find her uniform was gone. Who put her in these pajamas? They were cute. She turned her head, smooshing her cheek against the glass to look out the window. The party was clearing out. Only a handful of people lingered around the pool. Flitting among them was someone that looked like Esther.

Esther was so cool. She wished Esther was here. She tapped lightly at the glass, but maybe it was loudly, because the girl turned, and itwasEsther.

They made eye contact before Ashley sank to the floor. A few minutes later, Esther was in the same room as her.

“Hey, Ashley. I heard you were about ready to go home. I’m here to give you a ride.”

“My hero,” Ashley proclaimed, lifting her arms. Stuck that landing.

Esther’s car was full of cutesy bobbleheads and fast-food wrappers. Also, Esther didn’t have a car. “Esther, you don’t have a car.”

“That’s right.” Esther continued to buckle herself in and adjust the mirrors. “Uther lent me his car.”

“I hate it.” Ashley pulled at her seat belt, but it kept snapping back against her neck. Why did Uther have seat belts that were trying to strangle her? “It’s only like a mile from here. We can walk. I wanna walk.”

“It was enough work to get you from the house to the car.” Esther put the car in drive. Not even a debate from her! “I’m not carrying you a mile home as well.”

“Uther’s seatbelt hates me.” She tugged on her shoulder strap. “It’s trying to kill me.”

“Stop tugging on it,” said Esther, keeping her eyes on the road. “You’re going to?—”

“Esther!”

The car stopped, and the momentum flung Ashley forward. She was stopped by the crappy seat belt and Esther’s hand in the center of her ribcage.

“Did you just mom block me?” Ashley asked, her eyes tearing up from a sudden outburst of emotion.

“Are you okay?” Esther looked her over. “Why did you yell? Did you see something?”

“What?”

“You yelled my name. I thought you saw someone crossing the road or something.”

“Oh, that. My seat belt locked.” She fiddled with the latch, trying to get it to release.

Two hands appeared on each of Ashley’s cheeks, and she looked up into Esther’s serious eyes.