Page 13 of My Vampire Plus-One

New castle floodlights: discussion tabled until April, when the human contractor responsible for project can be present. Reminder: He works for us. NO ONE EAT HIM.

Meeting adjourned: 10:15 PM

April meeting will begin at 9:15 PM. George to provide refreshments.

Amelia

Shortly after my impromptu I’mdating someonereveal, my nephew Aiden had a meltdown to rival Chernobyl. Everybody’s attention immediately shifted away from me towards trying to get the shrieking toddler to calm down.

I wasn’t used to feeling gratitude towards a small child. But my nephewreallydid me a solid when he refused to be comforted by cat videos on YouTube. Adam and Jess looked absolutely wrecked by the time we left the restaurant, and I felt bad for them, but I was so relieved to no longer be the focus of attention that I was mostly just glad for myself.

My reprieve didn’t last long, though. I had texts from Sam and Mom before I even made it to the train station.

SAM:Congratulations on the dude

SAM:Happy for you. And trying hard not to be hurt that you didn’t tell me before tonight.

SAM:

MOM:Your father and I are so happy you’ll be bringing someone to the wedding, hon.

MOM:You’ve been single for so long. We’ve been worried.

MOM:We can’t wait to meet the lucky young man. What’s his name?

That was a good question, honestly. And one I hadn’t the foggiest idea how to answer.

It was nearly ten by the time I got home to my Lakeview apartment, almost fifteen hours after I’d left for work that morning. My head ached from the combined effects of too much wine at dinner, the mess I’d just created for myself, and exhaustion.

When I walked inside, a little of the anxiety I’d been carrying all day melted away.

I let my briefcase slip from my shoulder and placed it on the floor beside the black stool where my calico cat, Gracie, perched like a furry judgmental owl. My home was my sanctuary, with every book and knickknack in its place, the thermostat and water pressure at just the right settings, and all the stressors that made up the rest of my life kept firmly on the other side of the closed door.

As I slid off my coat and pulled a hanger from the closet, I noticed Gracie glaring at me sanctimoniously. Gracie had an uncannily strong drunk detector for a nine-year-old cat, and heryou stayed out past curfewface was something to behold. It told me she knew I’d had too much to drink on a Tuesday night and lied to my family about having a boyfriend. It also told me I should have been home to play with her hours ago.

“Meow,” Gracie lectured.

I couldn’t even be mad. “I deserve that,” I agreed.

“Meow,” Gracie said again, with feeling.

Okay,thatwas a bridge too far. “Look. I’ve had a really rough day.” Part of me knew it was ridiculous to get into an argument with a cat. The rest of me needed Gracie tounderstand.

Instead of understanding, Gracie chose to jump onto the kitchen counter where Sophie put my mail.

Right there, on top of the spring issue of the University of Chicago alumni magazine and the new issue ofCat Fancierswas the wedding invitation Mom had said was coming.