Page 52

Ashley

wait wut?

Ashley waited, but no response came. Not even the flashing thought bubble she hated so much. Esther was really on her way over, and Ashley was in her pajamas with her hair in a messy bun and a half-finished Bloody Bloody Mary. She was not ready to see Esther in the five minutes it took her to walk here.

Thank goodness for vampire speed.

In two minutes, she’d tried on and discarded two-thirds of her closet before finding something acceptable. Another two minutes for hair and makeup. With the last minute, she chugged her Bloody Mary and chomped the celery stir stick to dilute the sudden intake of vodka. Who drank vodka alone on a Thursday night while doing homework? She didn’t even like vodka. But freaking Cynthia was her alcohol hookup, and beggars couldn’t be choosers.

Ashley straightened her sweater, flipped off the heated blanket and therapy light, and took a quick selfie to check her makeup. When she heard steps on the sidewalk, she ran downstairs to meet Esther outside. Claribel might have noticedsomething was up, but Ashley needed to keep Hannah in the dark about social visits. It was Hannah’s house after all.

Ashley opened the door to find Esther walking up the porch, looking dark and sexy in a black overall skirt dress over a white turtleneck sweater, her lips a rich burgundy. She looked delicious, and Ashley had to bite her lip to stop from making any rash suggestions. Maybe she should’ve been drinking more blood and less vodka.

“Ready?” Esther had a tote bag on each arm and a pan in her hands.

“Can I carry something?” Ashley closed the door, anxious to move them away from the house.

Esther passed her the two tote bags, giving a happy sigh as the weight lifted off her arms. “Thanks. Those were getting heavy.”

“Where are we going anyway?” She peeked in the bag to find a handful of Tupperware containers. It smelled like a feast inside. “Not that I’m complaining.”

“Have you heard of Friendsgiving?” They started down the sidewalk together.

“Like friends having a Thanksgiving?”

“Exactly that. I wasn’t sure if the phrase was around before you were… Well, I guess I don’t know much about how or when you changed.”

Ashley wasn’t sure how to respond. She hadn’t explained the story of her change because she didn’t think about it. It was in the past, not relevant to her present. “Wait. What day is today?”

Esther laughed. “It’s Thursday and Thanksgiving. Why’d you think class was canceled?”

“But you have family in town.”

“Uncle Pete and Jason go back to Florida for the holidays.”

“Without you?”

Esther stayed quiet for another block, and Ashley scolded herself for being too forward. Again. If she wasn’t careful, Esther would realize Ashley and her complicated life and intrusive comments weren’t worth this much effort. She should remember to be nice, smile more.

“I’m sorry. That was—” Ashley started.

“No, you’re right. I could go with them. It’s just…I tell myself it’s because of the cost. I need to save up to pay back this student loan, but I kind of just use that as an excuse. It’s my mom’s family, and she’s not even going to be there, so like, why bother, I guess? I don’t see them often enough to be close, so I end up feeling like the odd one out.”

“Where’s your mom?”

“I think she said Naples today. But it’s hard to remember, and with the time difference, I usually get it wrong. She calls when she can, and we catch up. She sounds happy, so that’s good.”

“Is it?” Ashley hadn’t meant to ask, but Esther sounded so glum. And she couldn’t fight her desire to dig deeper.

“Yeah. No, I’m happy she’s happy. Sometimes I miss her, but…well, sometimes it’s better to be on your own. I’m a threat to fewer people this way.” She chuckled, but Ashley didn’t join in.

“Hey.” Ashley touched Esther’s arm. “You’re really cool to be around, and there are plenty of people that want to be around you on a holiday.”

Esther blushed but didn’t respond.

“So, where are we going?” Ashley hadn’t paid attention to their progress, focusing on Esther’s words and letting her take the lead.

They slowed in front of a familiar old house.