Page 26 of My Vampire Plus-One

“You don’t talk to your parents?” I asked.

He paused, blinking. “Why do you ask?”

I shrugged. “It’s just strange that you don’t have anyone else in your phone besides two friends. That’s all.”

He looked at me for a long moment. “I don’t talk to anyone in my family anymore, no.”

That made me sad. My family drove me bonkers, but we were still close. I loved them and couldn’t imagine a life where we never spoke. “I’m sorry,” I said, meaning it.

He smiled, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “It’s fine,” he said. “I’ve had plenty of time to get used to it.” He then looked at theplace on his arm where a wristwatch would be if he’d been wearing one. “Oh, look at the time. I’m afraid I have to go. I have an appointment.”

“An appointment at eight in the evening on a Wednesday?” I asked, surprised.

He ignored my question and held out his hand. “Before I go…I’m not a lawyer, but Ithinkwe just entered into a contract. We should shake on it to, you know.” He cleared his throat. “Make it official.”

I stared at his hand. The idea of clasping it in mine sent an unexpected thrill through me.

Reggie’d been right. Ihadn’tthought this through. While I’d decided from the outset that sex wouldn’t be part of the deal, it hadn’t occurred to me that touching him insomeway—while we were in front of my family, at least—would probably be necessary.

We needed to convince everyone we were dating, after all. And couples touched.

I had to get a grip on myself. If I couldn’t handle a simple handshake in a coffee shop, how would I make it through touching him in front of my family?

I could do this.

I had to.

I took a deep breath. And then, tapping into the same inner source of courage that saw me through the CPA exam, took his outstretched hand. It dwarfed mine, his palm smooth and surprisingly cool to the touch.

I’d had no idea my hand had so many nerve endings. Somehow, I could feel the handshake all the way down to my toes.

“Good night, Amelia,” he said, his voice smooth as silk. He was still holding my hand. He didn’t seem inclined to let it go,even though he’d just said he needed to leave. “I look forward tofaking itwith you.”

If it was possible to spontaneously burst into flames, that little double entendre would have done it for me right then and there. Reggie’s grin was absolutely wicked, as if he knew exactly what his joke was doing to me.

My voice sounded like it was coming from far away when I said, before I could stop myself, “I look forward to faking it with you, too.”

EIGHT

Excerpt from R.C.’s bullet journal, written in alternating blue and red ink

Mission statement:To live each day with courage, compassion, and curiosity. To become a better version of myself each day and inspire others in my path to do the same.To live a life free of mission statements.

Feelings:Stressed & distracted (a little less than yesterday). Hungry (same as yesterday).

Pros of Fake Dating Amelia

Best idea for a prank I’ve heard in a century

Will be GREAT distraction from Current Situation