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“I can’t even imagine.” I murmured, wishing I could do more than offer empty platitudes.

“And the hunger...” she whispered. Something dark flashed in her eyes. “Bay-bee, it’s always there, just under the surface. Girl, remember when I tried to go on that Keto diet to lose 10 pounds and I passed the hell out?”

“How could I forget?”

“Girl, it’s like ten times worse, but I can’t even faint and not feel it.” It was nice to see that Morgan was still funny, and dramatic and, dare I say, still Morgan. “Harlen’s been teaching me to control it and your cute little stepson has been checking up on me. I think I want to set him up with Donna.”

“I know you lying.” I laughed out loud.

“I’m just playing about Donna, but that’s your son. You about to marry his daddy.”

“You think you funny.”

“Ah. No. It’s facts. Donté Jackson Valentine is your stepson. Congratulations! Yes, ma’am, you got a baby boy.” Morgan nodded with a straight face. She reached for her glass again, this time lifting it without any visible tremor. Progress, even if it was small.

“Technically, you’re right, but Donté is grown.”

“Nineteen has never been grown, especially for someone with a penis. Because he was turned at nineteen, does that mean his prefrontal cortex isn’t fully developed?”

“You know. I don’t know.”

“Being a vampire just brings so many questions without answers.”

“Zand says Natasha is the smartest vampire he knows. She knows a lot about vampire history and just how y’all function and operate. If you have questions, you should go talk to her.”

“Girl, I’m afraid of her. She looks at me like she wants to eat my coochie.”

That was true. “Oh, I guess you going to have to shave your tabby cat and be a lesbian if you want an advanced vampire masterclass.”

“First, that’s a no. Second, you know, I’m falling for Harlen. I could never ever hurt him. He loves me.”

“Be careful with him. I know Zand is tough on him, but he has a good reason.”

“I know he slept with Teresa. He told me he was sorry about it, and he would never betray Zand again. Harlen told me he was lost without his brother, and he never wants to lose him again. He said he would die for him.”

I was shocked and wondered if Harlen really meant it. “He said that?”

“He sure did. I don’t know all their history, but those two need a therapy session with Iyanla Vanzant or Dr. Cheyenne Bryant because they have some serious issues.”

“You’re right. They got into a whole fight at the loft. I mean, we were all upset that we hadn’t heard from y’all, but Zand exploded.”

“Right and Harlen just took the punches and didn’t even try to really fight him back. I was already a vampire. It’s not like Harlen could turn back time.” Morgan added.

I agreed with her, but I didn’t want to say anything else. Zand always had a reason, and I assumed he probably had many reasons to blow up at Harlen that we all didn’t know. They both had the same maker, and they had been around for decades.

“I’m sure they will figure it out.” I added. “Let’s just promise we won’t let anything ever come between us.”

“Coco, now you know we ride or die. Bad girls for life.”

“Am I Will Smith or Martin Lawerence?”

“Now you know I’m Martin.” She joked.

“Okay, good, because I’m Mike Lowrey.”

“I’m never going to dispute that. Besides, I was going to marry you if Zand hadn’t beat me to it.”

“You are a fool. But it makes sense, so we could just pay for the family insurance.” I jokingly said.