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“No,” I say gently. “This is my home. I pay Grandma and Grandpa rent every month, just as Noah has paid me. We’re both staying.”

“Piper.”

“He’s in the guest room. I’m in the master bedroom. Nothing questionable has happened, I swear.”

She lowers her voice to a whisper. “What if he attacks you in the middle of the night?”

“He’s not going to attack me.”

“How can you be so sure?” she demands. “While you argued with your father, I read through those pamphlets. Do you know what happens if you’re bitten again?”

“I do know, but you’re going to have to trust me,” I say gently.

“People make bad decisions right after they get out of a relationship, and what happened with Kevin was no small ordeal. It’s only been a few months, and I’m afraid you’re too emotionally overloaded to see how dangerous this situation is.”

“It’s a medical condition, Mom. A disease.”

“It’s different.”

“It’s avirus.”

“Fine, let’s say it is just a virus. I still don’t think you should be living with that man.”

“We’re not sharing abed. He’s in a separate room. I even sleep with the door closed.”

“I don’t like it.”

“You don’t have to like it.” When it looks like she’s going to keep arguing, I say again, “Tomorrow, all right? Let’s talk more tomorrow.”

She stares at me for several long seconds, and then her shoulders sag with defeat. “Fine, but lock your bedroom door tonight, okay?”

“Mom.”

“Piper, I swear?—”

“Fine, yes. Okay? I’ll lock my bedroom door.”

“Good.” She studies me, looking seriously freaked out. “You swear you and Max aren’t messing with us?”

“We’re not.”

“It’s too bizarre.” She rubs her hands over her face.

“I know.”

“All right. I’m going to try to get your dad out of here.” She starts to walk away and then turns back and pulls me into a tight hug. “You’re really okay?”

And now she sounds like she’s going to cry.

“I’m fine—I promise. I have regular appointments with a dietitian, my stalker is in prison, and I’m attending support groups. It’s all good.”

“Okay.” Her watery eyes narrow. “But if something like this ever happens again, you will tell us, all right?”

“I promise if I ever become a vampire again, I will call you immediately.”

“Piper.” Her voice wavers.

I laugh, exhausted. “I’mfine. And look at the bright side—Max got a great new job out of all this. The benefits are top-notch.”